Heterocyclic glutaminase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutical preparations thereof. The invention further relates to methods of treatment using the novel heterocyclic compounds of the invention.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/727,195, filed Nov. 16, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/824,434, filed May 17, 2013, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Glutamine supports cell survival, growth and proliferation through metabolic and non-metabolic mechanisms. In actively proliferating cells, the metabolism of glutamine to lactate, also referred to as “glutaminolysis” is a major source of energy in the form of NADPH. The first step in glutaminolysis is the deamination of glutamine to form glutamate and ammonia, which is catalyzed by the glutaminase enzyme. Thus, deamination via glutaminase is a control point for glutamine metabolism.

Ever since Warburg's observation that ascites tumor cells exhibited high rates of glucose consumption and lactate secretion in the presence of oxygen (Warburg, 1956), researchers have been exploring how cancer cells utilize metabolic pathways to be able to continue actively proliferating. Several reports have demonstrated how glutamine metabolism supports macromolecular synthesis necessary for cells to replicate (Curthoys, 1995; DeBardinis, 2008).

Thus, glutaminase has been theorized to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diseases characterized by actively proliferating cells, such as cancer. The lack of suitable glutaminase inhibitors has made validation of this target impossible. Therefore, the creation of glutaminase inhibitors that are specific and capable of being formulated for in vivo use could lead to a new class of therapeutics.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a compound of formula I,

-   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: -   L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂,     CH═CH, or

-    preferably CH₂CH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit     may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may     be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂,     CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy; -   X represents S, O or CH═CH, preferably S or CH═CH, wherein any     hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl; -   Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; -   R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted     or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; -   Z represents H or R₃(CO); -   R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy; -   R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl,     arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl,     heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or     OR₆, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₄ and R₅ each independently for each occurrence represent H or     substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl,     acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated     to form C(O)R₇; -   R₆ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,     aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated     to form C(O)R₇; -   R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently for each occurrence represent H or     substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino,     acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl,     alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,     aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which     they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and     wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; -   R₁₁ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl,     heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the     aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃     and is optionally further substituted, or R₁₁ represents     C(R₁₂)(R₁₃)(R₁₄), N(R₄)(R₁₄) or OR₁₄, wherein any free hydroxyl     group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₁₂ and R₁₃ each independently respresent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino,     alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated     to form C(O)R₇, and wherein both of R₁₂ and R₁₃ are not H; and -   R₁₄ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl,     heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the     aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃     and is optionally further substituted.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation suitable for use in a human patient, comprising an effective amount of any of the compounds described herein (e.g., a compound of the invention, such as a compound of formula I), and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical preparations may be for use in treating or preventing a condition or disease as described herein. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical preparations have a low enough pyrogen activity to be suitable for intravenous use in a human patient.

The present invention further provides methods of treating or preventing cancer, immunological or neurological diseases as described herein, comprising administering a compound of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the plasma concentration of compounds 585 and 295 over time following oral dosing of 50 mg/kg to female CD-1 mice.

FIG. 2 shows the plasma concentration of compounds 447 and 318 over time following oral dosing of 50 mg/kg to female CD-1 mice.

FIG. 3 shows the plasma concentration of compound 670 over time following oral dosing of 500, 250, 80 and 25 mg/kg, to female Sprague Dawley rats.

FIG. 4 shows that oral administration of compound 670 to mice results in reduced tumor size in a H2122 lung adenocarcinoma xenograft model.

FIG. 5 shows a combination study with compound 670 and paclitaxel in a JIMT-1 triple negative breast cancer xenograft model.

FIG. 6 shows that oral administration of compound 670 to mice results in reduced tumor size in a RPMI-8226 multiple myeloma xenograft model.

FIG. 7 shows that compound 670 synergizes with pomalidomide or dexamethasone to produce an anti-tumor effect in multiple myeloma cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compound of formula I,

-   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: -   L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂,     CH═CH, or

-    preferably CH₂CH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit     may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may     be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂,     CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy; -   X represents S, O or CH═CH, preferably S or CH═CH, wherein any     hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl; -   Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; -   R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted     or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; -   Z represents H or R₃(CO); -   R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy; -   R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl,     arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl,     heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or     OR₆, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₄ and R₅ each independently for each occurrence represent H or     substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl,     acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated     to form C(O)R₇; -   R₆ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,     aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated     to form C(O)R₇; and -   R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently for each occurrence represent H or     substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino,     acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl,     alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,     aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which     they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and     wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; -   R₁₁ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl,     heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the     aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃     and is optionally further substituted, or R₁₁ represents     C(R₁₂)(R₁₃)(R₁₄), N(R₄)(R₁₄) or OR₁₄, wherein any free hydroxyl     group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₁₂ and R₁₃ each independently respresent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino,     alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated     to form C(O)R₇, and wherein both of R₁₂ and R₁₃ are not H; and -   R₁₄ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl,     heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the     aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃     and is optionally further substituted.

In certain embodiments, the compound is not one of the following:

In certain embodiments wherein alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl are substituted, they are substituted with one or more substituents selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, such as perfluoroalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, arylalkoxy, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyl, halo, alkoxy, such as perfluoroalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), alkoxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkoxy, amino, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, aminoalkylalkoxy, aminoalkoxy, acylamino, acylaminoalkyl, such as perfluoro acylaminoalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethylacylaminoalkyl), acyloxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylalkoxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkoxy, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocyclylaminoalkyl, heterocyclylaminoalkoxy, amido, amidoalkyl, amidine, imine, oxo, carbonyl (such as carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or acyl, including perfluoroacyl (e.g., C(O)CF₃)), carbonylalkyl (such as carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, formylalkyl, or acylalkyl, including perfluoroacylalkyl (e.g., -alkylC(O)CF₃)), carbamate, carbamatealkyl, urea, ureaalkyl, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfone, sulfonamide, sulfonamidealkyl, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, thiocarbonyl (such as thioester, thioacetate, or thioformate), phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate or phosphinate.

In certain embodiments, R₁₁ represents arylalkyl, such as benzyl, wherein the aryl group is substituted with —OCF₃, such as meta-substituted with —OCF₃. In certain such embodiments, the aryl ring is not further substituted. In certain embodiments, R₁₁ represents trifluoromethoxybenzyl, such as

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, or CH₂NHCH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxyl. In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂. In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂CH₂. In certain embodiments, L is not CH₂SCH₂.

In certain embodiments, Y represents H.

In certain embodiments, X represents S or CH═CH. In certain embodiments, X represents S.

In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO). In certain embodiments wherein Z is R₃(CO), R₃ and R₁₁ are not identical (e.g., the compound of formula I is not symmetrical).

In certain embodiments, R₁ and R₂ each represent H.

In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl. In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents heteroarylalkyl, such as pyridylalkyl (e.g., pyridylmethyl). In certain such embodiments, Z represents

In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, such as aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl, such as hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, such as CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, R₃ represents arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl, such as heteroarylalkyl (e.g., pyridylalkyl), and R₁₁ represents arylalkyl, such trifluoromethoxybenzyl (e.g.,

In certain such embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents pyridylmethyl, such as wherein Z represents

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, such as CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and each R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, such as aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl, such as hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy, and R₁₁ represents arylalkyl, such trifluoromethoxybenzyl (e.g.,

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S or CH═CH, such as S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl, such as heteroarylalkyl (e.g., pyridylalkyl), and R₁₁ represents arylalkyl, such trifluoromethoxybenzyl (e.g.,

In certain such embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents pyridylmethyl, such as wherein Z represents

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, h R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy, and R₁₁ represents arylalkyl, such trifluoromethoxybenzyl (e.g.,

In certain such embodiments, R₈ represents aryl and R₁₀ represents hydroxyalkyl.

In certain embodiments, the compound is selected from compound 447, 585, 586, 600, 614, 615, 629, 636, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 666, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, or 730. In certain embodiments, the compound is selected from compound 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 666, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, or 730.

In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be prodrugs of the compounds of formula I, e.g., wherein a hydroxyl in the parent compound is presented as an ester or a carbonate, or carboxylic acid present in the parent compound is presented as an ester. In certain such embodiments, the prodrug is metabolized to the active parent compound in vivo (e.g., the ester is hydrolyzed to the corresponding hydroxyl, or carboxylic acid).

In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be racemic. In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be enriched in one enantiomer. For example, a compound of the invention may have greater than 30% ee, 40% ee, 50% ee, 60% ee, 70% ee, 80% ee, 90% ee, or even 95% or greater ee. In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may have more than one stereocenter. In certain such embodiments, compounds of the invention may be enriched in one or more diastereomer. For example, a compound of the invention may have greater than 30% de, 40% de, 50% de, 60% de, 70% de, 80% de, 90% de, or even 95% or greater de.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods of treatment with a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In certain embodiments, the therapeutic preparation may be enriched to provide predominantly one enantiomer of a compound (e.g., of formula I). An enantiomerically enriched mixture may comprise, for example, at least 60 mol percent of one enantiomer, or more preferably at least 75, 90, 95, or even 99 mol percent. In certain embodiments, the compound enriched in one enantiomer is substantially free of the other enantiomer, wherein substantially free means that the substance in question makes up less than 10%, or less than 5%, or less than 4%, or less than 3%, or less than 2%, or less than 1% as compared to the amount of the other enantiomer, e.g., in the composition or compound mixture. For example, if a composition or compound mixture contains 98 grams of a first enantiomer and 2 grams of a second enantiomer, it would be said to contain 98 mol percent of the first enantiomer and only 2% of the second enantiomer.

In certain embodiments, the therapeutic preparation may be enriched to provide predominantly one diastereomer of a compound (e.g., of formula I). A diastereomerically enriched mixture may comprise, for example, at least 60 mol percent of one diastereomer, or more preferably at least 75, 90, 95, or even 99 mol percent.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods of treatment with a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In certain embodiments, the therapeutic preparation may be enriched to provide predominantly one enantiomer of a compound (e.g., of formula I). An enantiomerically enriched mixture may comprise, for example, at least 60 mol percent of one enantiomer, or more preferably at least 75, 90, 95, or even 99 mol percent. In certain embodiments, the compound enriched in one enantiomer is substantially free of the other enantiomer, wherein substantially free means that the substance in question makes up less than 10%, or less than 5%, or less than 4%, or less than 3%, or less than 2%, or less than 1% as compared to the amount of the other enantiomer, e.g., in the composition or compound mixture. For example, if a composition or compound mixture contains 98 grams of a first enantiomer and 2 grams of a second enantiomer, it would be said to contain 98 mol percent of the first enantiomer and only 2% of the second enantiomer.

In certain embodiments, the therapeutic preparation may be enriched to provide predominantly one diastereomer of a compound (e.g., of formula I). A diastereomerically enriched mixture may comprise, for example, at least 60 mol percent of one diastereomer, or more preferably at least 75, 90, 95, or even 99 mol percent.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation suitable for use in a human patient, comprising any of the compounds shown above (e.g., a compound of the invention, such as a compound of formula I), and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical preparations may be for use in treating or preventing a condition or disease as described herein. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical preparations have a low enough pyrogen activity to be suitable for use in a human patient.

Compounds of any of the above structures may be used in the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of any diseases or conditions disclosed herein.

Uses of Enzyme Inhibitors Glutamine plays an important role as a carrier of nitrogen, carbon, and energy. It is used for hepatic urea synthesis, for renal ammoniagenesis, for gluconeogenesis, and as respiratory fuel for many cells. The conversion of glutamine into glutamate is initated by the mitochondrial enzyme, glutaminase (“GLS”). There are two major forms of the enzyme, K-type and L-type, which are distinguished by their Km values for glutamine and response to glutamate, wherein the Km value, or Michaelis constant, is the concentration of substrate required to reach half the maximal velocity. The L-type, also known as “liver-type” or GLS2, has a high Km for glutamine and is glutamate resistant. The K-type, also known as “kidney-type or GLS1, has a low Km for glutamine and is inhibited by glutamate. An alternative splice form of GLS1, referred to as glutmainase C or “GAC”, has been identified recently and has similar activity characteristics of GLS1. In certain embodiments, the compounds may selectively inhibit GLS1, GLS2 and GAC. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds selectively inhibit GLS1 and GAC.

In addition to serving as the basic building blocks of protein synthesis, amino acids have been shown to contribute to many processes critical for growing and dividing cells, and this is particularly true for cancer cells. Nearly all definitions of cancer include reference to dysregulated proliferation. Numerous studies on glutamine metabolism in cancer indicate that many tumors are avid glutamine consumers (Souba, Ann. Surg., 1993; Collins et al., J. Cell. Physiol., 1998; Medina, J. Nutr., 2001; Shanware et al., J. Mol. Med., 2011). An embodiment of the invention is the use of the compounds described herein for the treatment of cancer.

In certain embodiments, the cancer may be one or a variant of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Adrenocortical Carcinoma, AIDS-Related Cancers (Kaposi Sarcoma and Lymphoma), Anal Cancer, Appendix Cancer, Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Bile Duct Cancer (including Extrahepatic), Bladder Cancer, Bone Cancer (including Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma), Brain Tumor (such as Astrocytomas, Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors, Brain Stem Glioma, Central Nervous System Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor, Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors, Craniopharyngioma, Ependymoblastoma, Ependymoma, Medulloblastoma, Medulloepithelioma, Pineal Parenchymal Tumors of Intermediate Differentiation, Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors and Pineoblastoma), Breast Cancer, Bronchial Tumors, Burkitt Lymphoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Bile Duct Cancer (including Extrahepatic), Bladder Cancer, Bone Cancer (including Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma), Carcinoid Tumor, Carcinoma of Unknown Primary, Central Nervous System (such as Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor, Embryonal Tumors and Lymphoma), Cervical Cancer, Childhood Cancers, Chordoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders, Colon Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Craniopharyngioma, Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome), Duct, Bile (Extrahepatic), Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), Embryonal Tumors (Central Nervous System), Endometrial Cancer, Ependymoblastoma, Ependymoma, Esophageal Cancer, Esthesioneuroblastoma, Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors, Extracranial Germ Cell Tumor, Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumor, Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer, Eye Cancer (like Intraocular Melanoma, Retinoblastoma), Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone (including Malignant and Osteosarcoma) Gallbladder Cancer, Gastric (Stomach) Cancer, Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST), Germ Cell Tumor (Extracranial, Extragonadal, Ovarian), Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor, Glioma, Hairy Cell Leukemia, Head and Neck Cancer, Heart Cancer, Hepatocellular (Liver) Cancer, Histiocytosis, Langerhans Cell, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Hypopharyngeal Cancer, Intraocular Melanoma, Islet Cell Tumors (Endocrine, Pancreas), Kaposi Sarcoma, Kidney (including Renal Cell), Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, Laryngeal Cancer, Leukemia (including Acute Lymphoblastic (ALL), Acute Myeloid (AML), Chronic Lymphocytic (CLL), Chronic Myelogenous (CML), Hairy Cell), Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer, Liver Cancer (Primary), Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS), Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell and Small Cell), Lymphoma (AIDS-Related, Burkitt, Cutaneous T-Cell (Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome), Hodgkin, Non-Hodgkin, Primary Central Nervous System (CNS), Macroglobulinemia, Waldenström, Male Breast Cancer, Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone and Osteosarcoma, Medulloblastoma, Medulloepithelioma, Melanoma (including Intraocular (Eye)), Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Mesothelioma (Malignant), Metastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary, Midline Tract Carcinoma Involving NUT Gene, Mouth Cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes, Multiple Myeloma/Plasma Cell Neoplasm, Mycosis Fungoides, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Myelogenous Leukemia, Chronic (CML), Myeloid Leukemia, Acute (AML), Myeloma and Multiple Myeloma, Myeloproliferative Disorders (Chronic), Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Cancer, Nasopharyngeal Cancer, Neuroblastoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (both B-cell and T-cell subtypes), Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Oral Cancer, Oral Cavity Cancer, Lip and, Oropharyngeal Cancer, Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone, Ovarian Cancer (such as Epithelial, Germ Cell Tumor, and Low Malignant Potential Tumor), Pancreatic Cancer (including Islet Cell Tumors), Papillomatosis, Paraganglioma, Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer, Parathyroid Cancer, Penile Cancer, Pharyngeal Cancer, Pheochromocytoma, Pineal Parenchymal Tumors of Intermediate Differentiation, Pineoblastoma and Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors, Pituitary Tumor, Plasma Cell Neoplasm/Multiple Myeloma, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Pregnancy and Breast Cancer, Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma, Prostate Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Renal Cell (Kidney) Cancer (RCC), Renal Pelvis and Ureter, Transitional Cell Cancer, Retinoblastoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Salivary Gland Cancer, Sarcoma (like Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors, Kaposi, Soft Tissue, Uterine), Sézary Syndrome, Skin Cancer (such as Melanoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Nonmelanoma), Small Cell Lung Cancer, Small Intestine Cancer, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary, Metastatic, Stomach (Gastric) Cancer, Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors, T-Cell Lymphoma (Cutaneous, Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome), Testicular Cancer, Throat Cancer, Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma, Thyroid Cancer, Transitional Cell Cancer of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), Trophoblastic Tumor (Gestational), Unknown Primary, Unusual Cancers of Childhood, Ureter and Renal Pelvis, Transitional Cell Cancer, Urethral Cancer, Uterine Cancer, Endometrial, Uterine Sarcoma, Waldenström Macroglobulinemia and Wilms Tumor. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show that a compound of the invention reduces tumor sizes in xenograft models of lung adenocarcinoma, breast cancer and multiple myeloma, demonstrating that the compounds described herein may be used for the treatment of a variety of cancers.

In some instances, oncogenic mutations promote glutamine metabolism. Cells expressing oncogenic K-Ras exhibt increased ultilization of glutamine (Weinberg et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2010; Gaglio et al., Mol. Syst. Biol., 2011). In certain embodiments, the cancer cells have a mutated K-Ras gene. In certain embodiments, the cancer is associated with tissue of the bladder, bone marrow, breast, colon, liver, lung, ovary, pancreas, prostate, skin or thyroid. The c-Myc gene is known to be altered in numerous cancers (Zeller et al., Genome biology, 2003). Increased Myc protein expression has been correlated with increased expression of glutaminase, leading to up-regulation of glutamine metabolism (Dang et al., Clin. Cancer Res., 2009; Gao et al., Nature, 2009). In certain embodiments, the cancer cells have an oncogenic c-Myc gene or elevated Myc protein expression. In some embodiments, the cancer is associated with tissue of the bladder, bone, bowel, breast, central nervous system (like brain), colon, gastric system (such as stomach and intestine), liver, lung, ovary, prostate, muscle, and skin.

While many cancer cells depend on exogenous glutamine for survival, the degree of glutamine dependence among tumor cell subtypes may make a population of cells more susceptible to the reduction of glutamine. As an example, gene expression analysis of breast cancers has identified five intrinsic subtypes (luminal A, luminal B, basal, HER2+, and normal-like) (Sorlie et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2001). Although glutamine deprivation has an impact on cell growth and viability, basal-like cells appear to be more sensitive to the reduction of exogenous glutamine (Kung et al., PLoS Genetics, 2011). This supports the concept that glutamine is a very important energy source in basal-like breast cancer cell lines, and suggests that inhibition of the glutaminase enzyme would be beneficial in the treatment of breast cancers comprised of basal-like cells. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by a lack of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression. It has a higher rate of relapse following chemotherapy, and a poorer prognosis than with the other breast cancer subtypes (Dent et al., Clin Cancer res, 2007). Interestingly, there appears to be significant similarities in metabolic profiling between TNBC cells and basal-like breast cancer cells (unpublished data). FIG. 5 shows that a compound as described herein reduces a TNBC xenograft tumor. The compound in combination with paclitaxel further reduced the tumor size. Therefore, the invention contemplates the use of the compounds described herein for the treatment of TNBC and basal-type breast cancers.

Cachexia, the massive loss of muscle mass, is often associated with poor performance status and high mortality rate of cancer patients. A theory behind this process is that tumors require more glutamine than is normally supplied by diet, so muscle, a major source of glutamine, starts to breakdown in order to supply enough nutrient to the tumor. Thus, inhibition of glutaminase may reduce the need to breakdown muscle. An embodiment of the invention is the use of the present compounds to prevent, inhibit or reduce cachexia.

The most common neurotransmitter is glutamate, derived from the enzymatic conversion of glutamine via glutaminase. High levels of glutamate have been shown to be neurotoxic. Following traumatic insult to neuronal cells, there occurs a rise in neurotransmitter release, particularly glutamate. Accordingly, inhibition of glutaminase has been hypothesized as a means of treatment following an ischemic insult, such as stroke (Newcomb, PCT WO 99/09825, Kostandy, Neurol. Sci., 2011). Huntington's disease is a progressive, fatal neurological condition. In genetic mouse models of Huntington's disease, it was observed that the early manifestation of the disease correlated with dysregulated glutamate release (Raymond et al., Neuroscience, 2011). In HIV-associated dementia, HIV infected macrophages exhibit upregulated glutaminase activity and increased glutamate release, leading to neuronal damage (Huang et al., J Neurosci., 2011). Similarly, in another neurological disease, the activated microglia in Rett Syndrome release glutamate causing neuronal damage. The release of excess glutamate has been associated with the up-regulation of glutaminase (Maezawa et al., J. Neurosci, 2010). In mice bred to have reduced glutaminase levels, sensitivity to psychotic-stimulating drugs, such as amphetamines, was dramatically reduced, thus suggesting that glutaminase inhibition may be beneficial in the treatment of schizophrenia (Gaisler-Salomon et al., Neuropsychopharmacology, 2009). Bipolar disorder is a devastating illness that is marked by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. This disease is treated with mood stabilizers such as lithium and valproate; however, chronic use of these drugs appear to increase the abundance of glutamate receptors (Nanavati et al., J. Neurochem., 2011), which may lead to a decrease in the drug's effectiveness over time. Thus, an alternative treatment may be to reduce the amount of glutamate by inhibiting glutaminase. This may or may not be in conjunction with the mood stabilizers. Memantine, a partial antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), is an approved therapeutic in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Currently, research is being conducted looking at memantine as a means of treating vascular dementia and Parkinson's disease (Oliverares et al., Curr. Alzheimer Res., 2011). Since memantine has been shown to partially block the NMDA glutamate receptor also, it is not unresasonable to speculate that decreasing glutamate levels by inhibiting glutaminase could also treat Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Parkinson's disease. Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, HIV-associated dementia, Huntington's disease, ischemic insult, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, stroke, traumatic insult and vascular dementia are but a few of the neurological diseases that have been correlated to increased levels of glutamate. Thus, inhibiting glutaminase with a compound described herein can reduce or prevent neurological diseases. Therefore, in one embodiment, the compounds may be used for the treatment or prevention of neurological diseases.

Activation of T lymphocytes induces cell growth, proliferation, and cytokine production, thereby placing energetic and biosynthetic demands on the cell. Glutamine serves as an amine group donor for nucleotide synthesis, and glutamate, the first component in glutamine metabolism, plays a direct role in amino acid and glutathione synthesis, as well as being able to enter the Krebs cycle for energy production (Carr et al., J. Immunol., 2010). Mitogen-induced T cell proliferation and cytokine production require high levels of glutamine metabolism, thus inhibiting glutaminase may serve as a means of immune modulation. In multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease, the activated microglia exhibit up-regulated glutaminase and release increased levels of extracellular glutamate. Glutamine levels are lowered by sepsis, injury, burns, surgery and endurance exercise (Calder et al., Amino Acids, 1999). These situations put the individual at risk of immunosuppression. In fact, in general, glutaminase gene expression and enzyme activity are both increased during T cell activity. Patients given glutamine following bone marrow transplantation resulted in a lower level of infection and reduced graft v. host disease (Crowther, Proc. Nutr. Soc., 2009). T cell proliferation and activiation is involved in many immunological diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, sepsis, psoriasis, arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), multiple sclerosis, graft v. host disease, infections, lupus and diabetes. In an embodiment of the invention, the compounds described herein can be used to treat or prevent immunological diseases.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) represents a series of transient and reversible neurologic and psychiatric dysfunction in patients with liver disease or portosystemic shunting. HE is not a single clinical entity and may reflect reversible metabolic encephalopathy, brain atrophy, brain edema, or a combination of these factors; however, the current hypothesis is that the accumulation of ammonia, mostly derived from the intestine, plays a key role in the pathophysiology (Khunger et al., Clin Liver Dis, 2012). The deamination of glutamine in small intestine, renal and muscle synthesis all contribute to ammonia production. Impaired hepatic clearance caused by hepatocellular clearance or portosystemic shunting causes increased accumulation of ammonia Ammonia toxicity affects astrocytes in the brain via glutamine synthetase, which metabolizes the ammonia to produce increased glutamine. Glutamine, in turn, attracts water into the astrocytes, leading to swelling and oxidative dysfunction of the mitochondria. The resulting cerebral edema is thought to contribute to neurologic dysfunction seen in HE (Kavitt et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2008). In an embodiment of the invention, the compounds described herein can be used to treat or prevent HE.

Primary sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion have been shown to elevate their glutaminase enzyme activity following inflammation (Miller et al., Pain Research and Treatment, 2012). It is believed that the resulting increased glutamate production contributes to both central and peripheral sensitization, identified as pain. An aspect of the invention is the use of the present compounds herein for the treatment or diminishment of pain. In certain embodiments, the pain can be neuropathic pain, chemotherapy-induced pain or inflammatory pain.

High blood glucose levels, high insulin levels, and insulin resistance are risk factors for developing diabetes mellitus. Similarly, high blood pressure is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. In a recent report from a large human cohort study, these four risk factors were inversely correlated with glutamine-to-glutamate ratios in the blood stream (Chen et al, Circulation, 2012). Furthermore, plasma glutamine-to-glutamate ratios were inversely correlated with the eventual incidence of diabetes mellitus over 12 years (Cheng et al, Circulation, 2012). Experiments with animal models were consistent with these findings. Mice fed glutamine-rich diets exhibited lower blood glucose levels in a glucose tolerance test after 6 hours of fasting, and intraperitoneal injection of glutamine into mice rapidly decreased their blood pressure (Cheng et al, Circulation, 2012). Therefore, it is plausible that glutaminase inhibitors, which cause increased glutamine levels and decrease glutamate levels, would decrease the incidence of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. In particular, the liver and small intestine are major sites of glutamine utilization in diabetic animals, and glutaminase activity is higher than normal in these organs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (Watford et al, Biochem J, 1984; Mithieux et al, Am J Physiol Endrocrinol Metab, 2004). In an embodiment of the invention, the compounds described herein can be used to treat diabetes. In another embodiment of the invention, the present compounds can be used to reduce high blood pressure.

In one embodiment, the method of treating or preventing cancer, immunological and neurological diseases may comprise administering a compound of the invention conjointly with a chemotherapeutic agent. Chemotherapeutic agents that may be conjointly administered with compounds of the invention include: aminoglutethimide, amsacrine, anastrozole, asparaginase, bcg, bicalutamide, bleomycin, bortezomib, buserelin, busulfan, campothecin, capecitabine, carboplatin, carfilzomib, carmustine, chlorambucil, chloroquine, cisplatin, cladribine, clodronate, colchicine, cyclophosphamide, cyproterone, cytarabine, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, demethoxyviridin, dexamethasone, dichloroacetate, dienestrol, diethylstilbestrol, docetaxel, doxorubicin, epirubicin, estradiol, estramustine, etoposide, everolimus, exemestane, filgrastim, fludarabine, fludrocortisone, fluorouracil, fluoxymesterone, flutamide, gemcitabine, genistein, goserelin, hydroxyurea, idarubicin, ifosfamide, imatinib, interferon, irinotecan, ironotecan, lenalidomide, letrozole, leucovorin, leuprolide, levamisole, lomustine, lonidamine, mechlorethamine, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol, melphalan, mercaptopurine, mesna, metformin, methotrexate, mitomycin, mitotane, mitoxantrone, nilutamide, nocodazole, octreotide, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, pamidronate, pentostatin, perifosine, plicamycin, pomalidomide, porfimer, procarbazine, raltitrexed, rituximab, sorafenib, streptozocin, sunitinib, suramin, tamoxifen, temozolomide, temsirolimus, teniposide, testosterone, thalidomide, thioguanine, thiotepa, titanocene dichloride, topotecan, trastuzumab, tretinoin, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, and vinorelbine.

Many combination therapies have been developed for the treatment of cancer. In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be conjointly administered with a combination therapy. Examples of combination therapies with which compounds of the invention may be conjointly administered are included in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Exemplary combinatorial therapies for the treatment of cancer. Name Therapeutic agents ABV Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine ABVD Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine AC (Breast) Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide AC (Sarcoma) Doxorubicin, Cisplatin AC (Neuroblastoma) Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin ACE Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide ACe Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin AD Doxorubicin, Dacarbazine AP Doxorubicin, Cisplatin ARAC-DNR Cytarabine, Daunorubicin B-CAVe Bleomycin, Lomustine, Doxorubicin, Vinblastine BCVPP Carmustine, Cyclophosphamide, Vinblastine, Procarbazine, Prednisone BEACOPP Bleomycin, Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone, Filgrastim BEP Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin BIP Bleomycin, Cisplatin, Ifosfamide, Mesna BOMP Bleomycin, Vincristine, Cisplatin, Mitomycin CA Cytarabine, Asparaginase CABO Cisplatin, Methotrexate, Bleomycin, Vincristine CAF Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Fluorouracil CAL-G Cyclophosphamide, Daunorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone, Asparaginase CAMP Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Methotrexate, Procarbazine CAP Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin CaT Carboplatin, Paclitaxel CAV Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine CAVE ADD CAV and Etoposide CA-VP16 Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide CC Cyclophosphamide, Carboplatin CDDP/VP-16 Cisplatin, Etoposide CEF Cyclophosphamide, Epirubicin, Fluorouracil CEPP(B) Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Prednisone, with or without/ Bleomycin CEV Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Vincristine CF Cisplatin, Fluorouracil or Carboplatin Fluorouracil CHAP Cyclophosphamide or Cyclophosphamide, Altretamine, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin ChlVPP Chlorambucil, Vinblastine, Procarbazine, Prednisone CHOP Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone CHOP-BLEO Add Bleomycin to CHOP CISCA Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin CLD-BOMP Bleomycin, Cisplatin, Vincristine, Mitomycin CMF Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Cyclophosphamide CMFP Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Prednisone CMFVP Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Vincristine, Prednisone CMV Cisplatin, Methotrexate, Vinblastine CNF Cyclophosphamide, Mitoxantrone, Fluorouracil CNOP Cyclophosphamide, Mitoxantrone, Vincristine, Prednisone COB Cisplatin, Vincristine, Bleomycin CODE Cisplatin, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Etoposide COMLA Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Cytarabine COMP Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Methotrexate, Prednisone Cooper Regimen Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Vincristine, Prednisone COP Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisone COPE Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Cisplatin, Etoposide COPP Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone CP(Chronic Chlorambucil, Prednisone lymphocytic leukemia) CP (Ovarian Cancer) Cyclophosphamide, Cisplatin CT Cisplatin, Paclitaxel CVD Cisplatin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine CVI Carboplatin, Etoposide, Ifosfamide, Mesna CVP Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisome CVPP Lomustine, Procarbazine, Prednisone CYVADIC Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Dacarbazine DA Daunorubicin, Cytarabine DAT Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, Thioguanine DAV Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, Etoposide DCT Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, Thioguanine DHAP Cisplatin, Cytarabine, Dexamethasone DI Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide DTIC/Tamoxifen Dacarbazine, Tamoxifen DVP Daunorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone EAP Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin EC Etoposide, Carboplatin EFP Etoposie, Fluorouracil, Cisplatin ELF Etoposide, Leucovorin, Fluorouracil EMA 86 Mitoxantrone, Etoposide, Cytarabine EP Etoposide, Cisplatin EVA Etoposide, Vinblastine FAC Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide FAM Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Mitomycin FAMTX Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Doxorubicin FAP Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin F-CL Fluorouracil, Leucovorin FEC Fluorouracil, Cyclophosphamide, Epirubicin FED Fluorouracil, Etoposide, Cisplatin FL Flutamide, Leuprolide FZ Flutamide, Goserelin acetate implant HDMTX Methotrexate, Leucovorin Hexa-CAF Altretamine, Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil ICE-T Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, Etoposide, Paclitaxel, Mesna IDMTX/6-MP Methotrexate, Mercaptopurine, Leucovorin IE Ifosfamide, Etoposie, Mesna IfoVP Ifosfamide, Etoposide, Mesna IPA Ifosfamide, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin M-2 Vincristine, Carmustine, Cyclophosphamide, Prednisone, Melphalan MAC-III Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Dactinomycin, Cyclophosphamide MACC Methotrexate, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Lomustine MACOP-B Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Bleomycin, Prednisone MAID Mesna, Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide, Dacarbazine m-BACOD Bleomycin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Dexamethasone, Methotrexate, Leucovorin MBC Methotrexate, Bleomycin, Cisplatin MC Mitoxantrone, Cytarabine MF Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Leucovorin MICE Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, Etoposide, Mesna MINE Mesna, Ifosfamide, Mitoxantrone, Etoposide mini-BEAM Carmustine, Etoposide, Cytarabine, Melphalan MOBP Bleomycin, Vincristine, Cisplatin, Mitomycin MOP Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine MOPP Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone MOPP/ABV Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone, Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine MP (multiple Melphalan, Prednisone myeloma) MP (prostate cancer) Mitoxantrone, Prednisone MTX/6-MO Methotrexate, Mercaptopurine MTX/6-MP/VP Methotrexate, Mercaptopurine, Vincristine, Prednisone MTX-CDDPAdr Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin MV (breast cancer) Mitomycin, Vinblastine MV (acute myelocytic Mitoxantrone, Etoposide leukemia) M-VAC Methotrexate Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin MVP Mitomycin Vinblastine, Cisplatin MVPP Mechlorethamine, Vinblastine, Procarbazine, Prednisone NFL Mitoxantrone, Fluorouracil, Leucovorin NOVP Mitoxantrone, Vinblastine, Vincristine OPA Vincristine, Prednisone, Doxorubicin OPPA Add Procarbazine to OPA. PAC Cisplatin, Doxorubicin PAC-I Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide PA-CI Cisplatin, Doxorubicin PC Paclitaxel, Carboplatin or Paclitaxel, Cisplatin PCV Lomustine, Procarbazine, Vincristine PE Paclitaxel, Estramustine PFL Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, Leucovorin POC Prednisone, Vincristine, Lomustine ProMACE Prednisone, Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide ProMACE/cytaBOM Prednisone, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Cytarabine, Bleomycin, Vincristine, Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Cotrimoxazole PRoMACE/MOPP Prednisone, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Methotrexate, Leucovorin Pt/VM Cisplatin, Teniposide PVA Prednisone, Vincristine, Asparaginase PVB Cisplatin, Vinblastine, Bleomycin PVDA Prednisone, Vincristine, Daunorubicin, Asparaginase SMF Streptozocin, Mitomycin, Fluorouracil TAD Mechlorethamine, Doxorubicin, Vinblastine, Vincristine, Bleomycin, Etoposide, Prednisone TCF Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, Fluorouracil TIP Paclitaxel, Ifosfamide, Mesna, Cisplatin TTT Methotrexate, Cytarabine, Hydrocortisone Topo/CTX Cyclophosphamide, Topotecan, Mesna VAB-6 Cyclophosphamide, Dactinomycin, Vinblastine, Cisplatin, Bleomycin VAC Vincristine, Dactinomycin, Cyclophosphamide VACAdr Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Dactinomycin, Vincristine VAD Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Dexamethasone VATH Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, Thiotepa, Flouxymesterone VBAP Vincristine, Carmustine, Doxorubicin, Prednisone VBCMP Vincristine, Carmustine, Melphalan, Cyclophosphamide, Prednisone VC Vinorelbine, Cisplatin VCAP Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Prednisone VD Vinorelbine, Doxorubicin VelP Vinblastine, Cisplatin, Ifosfamide, Mesna VIP Etoposide, Cisplatin, Ifosfamide, Mesna VM Mitomycin, Vinblastine VMCP Vincristine, Melphalan, Cyclophosphamide, Prednisone VP Etoposide, Cisplatin V-TAD Etoposide, Thioguanine, Daunorubicin, Cytarabine 5 + 2 Cytarabine, Daunorubicin, Mitoxantrone 7 + 3 Cytarabine with/, Daunorubicin or Idarubicin or Mitoxantrone “8 in 1” Methylprednisolone, Vincristine, Lomustine, Procarbazine, Hydroxyurea, Cisplatin, Cytarabine, Dacarbazine

The proliferation of cancer cells requires lipid synthesis. Normally, acetyl-coA used for lipid synthesis is formed from a mitochondrial pool of pyruvate that is derived from glycolysis. Yet under hypoxic conditions, such as those normally found in a tumor environment, the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-coA within the mitochondria is downregulated. Recent studies from Metallo et al. (2011) and Mullen et al. (2011) revealed that under such hypoxic conditions, cells instead largely switch to using a pathway involving the reductive carboxylation of alpha-ketoglutarate to make acetyl-coA for lipid synthesis. The first step in this pathway involves converting glutamine to glutamate via glutaminase enzymes. Subsequently, glutamate is converting to alpha-ketoglutarate, and the resulting alpha-ketoglutarate is converted to isocitrate in a reductive carboxylation step mediated by the isocitrate dehydrogenase enzymes. A switch to this reductive carboxylation pathway also occurs in some renal carcinoma cell lines that contain either impaired mitochondria or an impaired signal for induction of the enzyme responsible for converting glycolytic pyruvate to acetyl-coA (Mullen et al 2011). A similar switch occurs in cells exposed to mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors such as metformin, rotenone, and antimycin (Mullen at al. 2011). Therefore, in some embodiments of this invention, we propose using combinations of mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors and glutaminase inhibitors to simultaneously increase cancer cells' dependence on glutaminase-dependent pathways for lipid synthesis while inhibiting those very pathways.

The increased dependence on glycolysis in tumor cells is likely because the hypoxic tumor environment impairs mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, depletion of glucose induces apoptosis in cells transformed with the MYC oncogene. These findings suggest that inhibiting glycolysis would have a therapeutic value in preventing cancer cell proliferation. There are currently many documented glycolytic inhibitors (Pelicano et al. 2006). However, as pointed out by Zhao et al. (2012), “available glycolytic inhibitors are generally not very potent, and high doses are required, which may cause high levels of systemic toxicity.” Since cancer cells typically use both glucose and glutamine at higher levels than normal cells, impairing utilization of each of those metabolites will likely have a synergistic effect. Therefore, in some embodiments of this invention, we propose using combinations of glycolytic pathway inhibitors and glutaminase inhibitors. Such glycolytic inhibitors include 2-deoxyglucose, lonidamine, 3-bromopyruvate, imatinib, oxythiamine, rapamycin, and their pharmacological equivalents. Glycolysis can be inhibited indirectly by depleting NAD+ via DNA damage induced by DNA alkylating agents through a pathway activated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (Zong et al. 2004). Therefore, in one embodiment of this invention, we propose using a combination of DNA alkylating agents and glutaminase inhibitors. Cancer cells use the pentose phosphate pathway along with the glycolytic pathway to create metabolic intermediates derived from glucose. Therefore, in another embodiment of this invention, we propose using a combination of pentose phosphate inhibitors such as 6-aminonicotinamide along with glutaminase inhibitors.

In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention may be conjointly administered with non-chemical methods of cancer treatment. In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention may be conjointly administered with radiation therapy. In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention may be conjointly administered with surgery, with thermoablation, with focused ultrasound therapy, with cryotherapy, or with any combination of these.

In certain embodiments, different compounds of the invention may be conjointly administered with one or more other compounds of the invention. Moreover, such combinations may be conjointly administered with other therapeutic agents, such as other agents suitable for the treatment of cancer, immunological or neurological diseases, such as the agents identified above. In certain embodiments, conjointly administering one or more additional chemotherapeutic agents with a compound of the invention provides a synergistic effect, such as shown in FIG. 7. In certain embodiments, conjointly administering one or more additional chemotherapeutics agents provides an additive effect.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a kit comprising: a) one or more single dosage forms of a compound of the invention; b) one or more single dosage forms of a chemotherapeutic agent as mentioned above; and c) instructions for the administration of the compound of the invention and the chemotherapeutic agent.

The present invention provides a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a pharmaceutical formulation (e.g., one or more single dosage         forms) comprising a compound of the invention; and     -   b) instructions for the administration of the pharmaceutical         formulation, e.g., for treating or preventing any of the         conditions discussed above.

In certain embodiments, the kit further comprises instructions for the administration of the pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of the invention conjointly with a chemotherapeutic agent as mentioned above. In certain embodiments, the kit further comprises a second pharmaceutical formulation (e.g., as one or more single dosage forms) comprising a chemotherapeutic agent as mentioned above.

DEFINITIONS

The term “acyl” is art-recognized and refers to a group represented by the general formula hydrocarbylC(O)—, preferably alkylC(O)—.

The term “acylamino” is art-recognized and refers to an amino group substituted with an acyl group and may be represented, for example, by the formula hydrocarbylC(O)NH—.

The term “acyloxy” is art-recognized and refers to a group represented by the general formula hydrocarbylC(O)O—, preferably alkylC(O)O—.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group, preferably a lower alkyl group, having an oxygen attached thereto. Representative alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, tert-butoxy and the like.

The term “alkoxyalkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted with an alkoxy group and may be represented by the general formula alkyl-O-alkyl.

The term “alkenyl”, as used herein, refers to an aliphatic group containing at least one double bond and is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkenyls” and “substituted alkenyls”, the latter of which refers to alkenyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the alkenyl group. Such substituents may occur on one or more carbons that are included or not included in one or more double bonds. Moreover, such substituents include all those contemplated for alkyl groups, as discussed below, except where stability is prohibitive. For example, substitution of alkenyl groups by one or more alkyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl groups is contemplated.

An “alkyl” group or “alkane” is a straight chained or branched non-aromatic hydrocarbon which is completely saturated. Typically, a straight chained or branched alkyl group has from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to about 10 unless otherwise defined. Examples of straight chained and branched alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, pentyl and octyl. A C₁-C₆ straight chained or branched alkyl group is also referred to as a “lower alkyl” group.

Moreover, the term “alkyl” (or “lower alkyl”) as used throughout the specification, examples, and claims is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkyls” and “substituted alkyls”, the latter of which refers to alkyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents, if not otherwise specified, can include, for example, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the moieties substituted on the hydrocarbon chain can themselves be substituted, if appropriate. For instance, the substituents of a substituted alkyl may include substituted and unsubstituted forms of amino, azido, imino, amido, phosphoryl (including phosphonate and phosphinate), sulfonyl (including sulfate, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl and sulfonate), and silyl groups, as well as ethers, alkylthios, carbonyls (including ketones, aldehydes, carboxylates, and esters), —CF₃, —CN and the like. Exemplary substituted alkyls are described below. Cycloalkyls can be further substituted with alkyls, alkenyls, alkoxys, alkylthios, aminoalkyls, carbonyl-substituted alkyls, —CF₃, —CN, and the like.

The term “C_(x-y)” when used in conjunction with a chemical moiety, such as, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy is meant to include groups that contain from x to y carbons in the chain. For example, the term “C_(x-y)alkyl” refers to substituted or unsubstituted saturated hydrocarbon groups, including straight-chain alkyl and branched-chain alkyl groups that contain from x to y carbons in the chain, including haloalkyl groups such as trifluoromethyl and 2,2,2-tirfluoroethyl, etc. C₀ alkyl indicates a hydrogen where the group is in a terminal position, a bond if internal. The terms “C_(2-y)alkenyl” and “C_(2-y)alkynyl” refer to substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated aliphatic groups analogous in length and possible substitution to the alkyls described above, but that contain at least one double or triple bond respectively.

The term “alkylamino”, as used herein, refers to an amino group substituted with at least one alkyl group.

The term “alkylthio”, as used herein, refers to a thiol group substituted with an alkyl group and may be represented by the general formula alkylS—.

The term “alkynyl”, as used herein, refers to an aliphatic group containing at least one triple bond and is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkynyls” and “substituted alkynyls”, the latter of which refers to alkynyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the alkynyl group. Such substituents may occur on one or more carbons that are included or not included in one or more triple bonds. Moreover, such substituents include all those contemplated for alkyl groups, as discussed above, except where stability is prohibitive. For example, substitution of alkynyl groups by one or more alkyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl groups is contemplated.

The term “amide”, as used herein, refers to a group

wherein each R¹⁰ independently represent a hydrogen or hydrocarbyl group, or two R¹⁰ are taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The terms “amine” and “amino” are art-recognized and refer to both unsubstituted and substituted amines and salts thereof, e.g., a moiety that can be represented by

wherein each R¹⁰ independently represents a hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, or two R¹⁰ are taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The term “aminoalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an amino group.

The term “aralkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an aryl group.

The term “aryl” as used herein include substituted or unsubstituted single-ring aromatic groups in which each atom of the ring is carbon. Preferably the ring is a 5- to 7-membered ring, more preferably a 6-membered ring. The term “aryl” also includes polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Aryl groups include benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, phenol, aniline, and the like.

The term “carbamate” is art-recognized and refers to a group

wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, such as an alkyl group, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ taken together with the intervening atom(s) complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The terms “carbocycle”, and “carbocyclic”, as used herein, refers to a saturated or unsaturated ring in which each atom of the ring is carbon. The term carbocycle includes both aromatic carbocycles and non-aromatic carbocycles. Non-aromatic carbocycles include both cycloalkane rings, in which all carbon atoms are saturated, and cycloalkene rings, which contain at least one double bond. “Carbocycle” includes 5-7 membered monocyclic and 8-12 membered bicyclic rings. Each ring of a bicyclic carbocycle may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. Carbocycle includes bicyclic molecules in which one, two or three or more atoms are shared between the two rings. The term “fused carbocycle” refers to a bicyclic carbocycle in which each of the rings shares two adjacent atoms with the other ring. Each ring of a fused carbocycle may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. In an exemplary embodiment, an aromatic ring, e.g., phenyl, may be fused to a saturated or unsaturated ring, e.g., cyclohexane, cyclopentane, or cyclohexene. Any combination of saturated, unsaturated and aromatic bicyclic rings, as valence permits, is included in the definition of carbocyclic. Exemplary “carbocycles” include cyclopentane, cyclohexane, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-3-ene, naphthalene and adamantane. Exemplary fused carbocycles include decalin, naphthalene, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, bicyclo[4.2.0]octane, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indene and bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene. “Carbocycles” may be substituted at any one or more positions capable of bearing a hydrogen atom.

A “cycloalkyl” group is a cyclic hydrocarbon which is completely saturated. “Cycloalkyl” includes monocyclic and bicyclic rings. Typically, a monocyclic cycloalkyl group has from 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, more typically 3 to 8 carbon atoms unless otherwise defined. The second ring of a bicyclic cycloalkyl may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. Cycloalkyl includes bicyclic molecules in which one, two or three or more atoms are shared between the two rings. The term “fused cycloalkyl” refers to a bicyclic cycloalkyl in which each of the rings shares two adjacent atoms with the other ring. The second ring of a fused bicyclic cycloalkyl may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. A “cycloalkenyl” group is a cyclic hydrocarbon containing one or more double bonds.

The term “carbocyclylalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a carbocycle group.

The term “carbonate” is art-recognized and refers to a group —OCO₂—R¹⁰, wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl group.

The term “carboxy”, as used herein, refers to a group represented by the formula —CO₂H.

The term “ester”, as used herein, refers to a group —C(O)OR¹⁰ wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl group.

The term “ether”, as used herein, refers to a hydrocarbyl group linked through an oxygen to another hydrocarbyl group. Accordingly, an ether substituent of a hydrocarbyl group may be hydrocarbyl-O—. Ethers may be either symmetrical or unsymmetrical. Examples of ethers include, but are not limited to, heterocycle-O-heterocycle and aryl-O-heterocycle. Ethers include “alkoxyalkyl” groups, which may be represented by the general formula alkyl-O-alkyl.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” as used herein means halogen and includes chloro, fluoro, bromo, and iodo.

The terms “hetaralkyl” and “heteroaralkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a hetaryl group.

The term “heteroalkyl”, as used herein, refers to a saturated or unsaturated chain of carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom, wherein no two heteroatoms are adjacent.

The terms “heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic single ring structures, preferably 5- to 7-membered rings, more preferably 5- to 6-membered rings, whose ring structures include at least one heteroatom, preferably one to four heteroatoms, more preferably one or two heteroatoms. The terms “heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” also include polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is heteroaromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Heteroaryl groups include, for example, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, and pyrimidine, and the like.

The term “heteroatom” as used herein means an atom of any element other than carbon or hydrogen. Preferred heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

The terms “heterocyclyl”, “heterocycle”, and “heterocyclic” refer to substituted or unsubstituted non-aromatic ring structures, preferably 3- to 10-membered rings, more preferably 3- to 7-membered rings, whose ring structures include at least one heteroatom, preferably one to four heteroatoms, more preferably one or two heteroatoms. The terms “heterocyclyl” and “heterocyclic” also include polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is heterocyclic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Heterocyclyl groups include, for example, piperidine, piperazine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, lactones, lactams, and the like.

The term “heterocyclylalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a heterocycle group.

The term “hydrocarbyl”, as used herein, refers to a group that is bonded through a carbon atom that does not have a ═O or ═S substituent, and typically has at least one carbon-hydrogen bond and a primarily carbon backbone, but may optionally include heteroatoms. Thus, groups like methyl, ethoxyethyl, 2-pyridyl, and trifluoromethyl are considered to be hydrocarbyl for the purposes of this application, but substituents such as acetyl (which has a ═O substituent on the linking carbon) and ethoxy (which is linked through oxygen, not carbon) are not. Hydrocarbyl groups include, but are not limited to aryl, heteroaryl, carbocycle, heterocyclyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and combinations thereof.

The term “hydroxyalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a hydroxy group.

The term “lower” when used in conjunction with a chemical moiety, such as, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy is meant to include groups where there are ten or fewer non-hydrogen atoms in the substituent, preferably six or fewer. A “lower alkyl”, for example, refers to an alkyl group that contains ten or fewer carbon atoms, preferably six or fewer. In certain embodiments, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy substituents defined herein are respectively lower acyl, lower acyloxy, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or lower alkoxy, whether they appear alone or in combination with other substituents, such as in the recitations hydroxyalkyl and aralkyl (in which case, for example, the atoms within the aryl group are not counted when counting the carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent).

The terms “polycyclyl”, “polycycle”, and “polycyclic” refer to two or more rings (e.g., cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls) in which two or more atoms are common to two adjoining rings, e.g., the rings are “fused rings”. Each of the rings of the polycycle can be substituted or unsubstituted. In certain embodiments, each ring of the polycycle contains from 3 to 10 atoms in the ring, preferably from 5 to 7.

The term “silyl” refers to a silicon moiety with three hydrocarbyl moieties attached thereto.

The term “substituted” refers to moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the backbone. It will be understood that “substitution” or “substituted with” includes the implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution results in a stable compound, e.g., which does not spontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization, elimination, etc. As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and non-aromatic substituents of organic compounds. The permissible substituents can be one or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds. For purposes of this invention, the heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of the heteroatoms. Substituents can include any substituents described herein, for example, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that substituents can themselves be substituted, if appropriate. Unless specifically stated as “unsubstituted,” references to chemical moieties herein are understood to include substituted variants. For example, reference to an “aryl” group or moiety implicitly includes both substituted and unsubstituted variants.

The term “sulfate” is art-recognized and refers to the group —OSO₃H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “sulfonamide” is art-recognized and refers to the group represented by the general formulae

wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently represents hydrogen or hydrocarbyl, such as alkyl, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ taken together with the intervening atom(s) complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The term “sulfoxide” is art-recognized and refers to the group —S(O)—R¹⁰, wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “sulfonate” is art-recognized and refers to the group SO₃H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “sulfone” is art-recognized and refers to the group —S(O)₂—R¹⁰, wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “thioalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a thiol group.

The term “thioester”, as used herein, refers to a group —C(O)SR¹⁰ or —SC(O)R¹⁰ wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “thioether”, as used herein, is equivalent to an ether, wherein the oxygen is replaced with a sulfur.

The term “urea” is art-recognized and may be represented by the general formula

wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl, such as alkyl, or either occurrence of R⁹ taken together with R¹⁰ and the intervening atom(s) complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

“Protecting group” refers to a group of atoms that, when attached to a reactive functional group in a molecule, mask, reduce or prevent the reactivity of the functional group. Typically, a protecting group may be selectively removed as desired during the course of a synthesis. Examples of protecting groups can be found in Greene and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, 3^(rd) Ed., 1999, John Wiley & Sons, NY and Harrison et al., Compendium of Synthetic Organic Methods, Vols. 1-8, 1971-1996, John Wiley & Sons, NY. Representative nitrogen protecting groups include, but are not limited to, formyl, acetyl, trifluoroacetyl, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl (“CBZ”), tert-butoxycarbonyl (“Boc”), trimethylsilyl (“TMS”), 2-trimethylsilyl-ethanesulfonyl (“TES”), trityl and substituted trityl groups, allyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (“FMOC”), nitro-veratryloxycarbonyl (“NVOC”) and the like. Representative hydroxylprotecting groups include, but are not limited to, those where the hydroxyl group is either acylated (esterified) or alkylated such as benzyl and trityl ethers, as well as alkyl ethers, tetrahydropyranyl ethers, trialkylsilyl ethers (e.g., TMS or TIPS groups), glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol derivatives and allyl ethers.

The term “healthcare providers” refers to individuals or organizations that provide healthcare services to a person, community, etc. Examples of “healthcare providers” include doctors, hospitals, continuing care retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, subacute care facilities, clinics, multispecialty clinics, freestanding ambulatory centers, home health agencies, and HMO's.

As used herein, a therapeutic that “prevents” a disorder or condition refers to a compound that, in a statistical sample, reduces the occurrence of the disorder or condition in the treated sample relative to an untreated control sample, or delays the onset or reduces the severity of one or more symptoms of the disorder or condition relative to the untreated control sample.

The term “treating” includes prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatments. The term “prophylactic or therapeutic” treatment is art-recognized and includes administration to the host of one or more of the subject compositions. If it is administered prior to clinical manifestation of the unwanted condition (e.g., disease or other unwanted state of the host animal) then the treatment is prophylactic (i.e., it protects the host against developing the unwanted condition), whereas if it is administered after manifestation of the unwanted condition, the treatment is therapeutic, (i.e., it is intended to diminish, ameliorate, or stabilize the existing unwanted condition or side effects thereof).

The term “prodrug” is intended to encompass compounds which, under physiologic conditions, are converted into the therapeutically active agents of the present invention (e.g., a compound of formula I). A common method for making a prodrug is to include one or more selected moieties which are hydrolyzed under physiologic conditions to reveal the desired molecule. In other embodiments, the prodrug is converted by an enzymatic activity of the host animal. For example, esters or carbonates (e.g., esters or carbonates of alcohols or carboxylic acids) are preferred prodrugs of the present invention. In certain embodiments, some or all of the compounds of formula I in a formulation represented above can be replaced with the corresponding suitable prodrug, e.g., wherein a hydroxyl in the parent compound is presented as an ester or a carbonate or carboxylic acid present in the parent compound is presented as an ester.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The compositions and methods of the present invention may be utilized to treat an individual in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the individual is a mammal such as a human, or a non-human mammal. When administered to an animal, such as a human, the composition or the compound is preferably administered as a pharmaceutical composition comprising, for example, a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are well known in the art and include, for example, aqueous solutions such as water or physiologically buffered saline or other solvents or vehicles such as glycols, glycerol, oils such as olive oil, or injectable organic esters. In a preferred embodiment, when such pharmaceutical compositions are for human administration, particularly for invasive routes of administration (i.e., routes, such as injection or implantation, that circumvent transport or diffusion through an epithelial barrier), the aqueous solution is pyrogen-free, or substantially pyrogen-free. The excipients can be chosen, for example, to effect delayed release of an agent or to selectively target one or more cells, tissues or organs. The pharmaceutical composition can be in dosage unit form such as tablet, capsule (including sprinkle capsule and gelatin capsule), granule, lyophile for reconstitution, powder, solution, syrup, suppository, injection or the like. The composition can also be present in a transdermal delivery system, e.g., a skin patch. The composition can also be present in a solution suitable for topical administration, such as an eye drop.

A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can contain physiologically acceptable agents that act, for example, to stabilize, increase solubility or to increase the absorption of a compound such as a compound of the invention. Such physiologically acceptable agents include, for example, carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose or dextrans, antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, chelating agents, low molecular weight proteins or other stabilizers or excipients. The choice of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, including a physiologically acceptable agent, depends, for example, on the route of administration of the composition. The preparation of pharmaceutical composition can be a selfemulsifying drug delivery system or a selfmicroemulsifying drug delivery system. The pharmaceutical composition (preparation) also can be a liposome or other polymer matrix, which can have incorporated therein, for example, a compound of the invention. Liposomes, for example, which comprise phospholipids or other lipids, are nontoxic, physiologically acceptable and metabolizable carriers that are relatively simple to make and administer.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” is employed herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein means a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material. Each carrier must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the patient. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include: (1) sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; (2) starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; (3) cellulose, and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; (4) powdered tragacanth; (5) malt; (6) gelatin; (7) talc; (8) excipients, such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; (9) oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; (10) glycols, such as propylene glycol; (11) polyols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; (12) esters, such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; (13) agar; (14) buffering agents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; (15) alginic acid; (16) pyrogen-free water; (17) isotonic saline; (18) Ringer's solution; (19) ethyl alcohol; (20) phosphate buffer solutions; and (21) other non-toxic compatible substances employed in pharmaceutical formulations.

A pharmaceutical composition (preparation) can be administered to a subject by any of a number of routes of administration including, for example, orally (for example, drenches as in aqueous or non-aqueous solutions or suspensions, tablets, capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), boluses, powders, granules, pastes for application to the tongue); absorption through the oral mucosa (e.g., sublingually); anally, rectally or vaginally (for example, as a pessary, cream or foam); parenterally (including intramuscularly, intravenously, subcutaneously or intrathecally as, for example, a sterile solution or suspension); nasally; intraperitoneally; subcutaneously; transdermally (for example as a patch applied to the skin); and topically (for example, as a cream, ointment or spray applied to the skin, or as an eye drop). The compound may also be formulated for inhalation. In certain embodiments, a compound may be simply dissolved or suspended in sterile water. Details of appropriate routes of administration and compositions suitable for same can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,110,973, 5,763,493, 5,731,000, 5,541,231, 5,427,798, 5,358,970 and 4,172,896, as well as in patents cited therein.

The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. The amount of active ingredient which can be combined with a carrier material to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host being treated, the particular mode of administration. The amount of active ingredient that can be combined with a carrier material to produce a single dosage form will generally be that amount of the compound which produces a therapeutic effect. Generally, out of one hundred percent, this amount will range from about 1 percent to about ninety-nine percent of active ingredient, preferably from about 5 percent to about 70 percent, most preferably from about 10 percent to about 30 percent.

Methods of preparing these formulations or compositions include the step of bringing into association an active compound, such as a compound of the invention, with the carrier and, optionally, one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association a compound of the present invention with liquid carriers, or finely divided solid carriers, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

Formulations of the invention suitable for oral administration may be in the form of capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), cachets, pills, tablets, lozenges (using a flavored basis, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth), lyophile, powders, granules, or as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, or as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil liquid emulsion, or as an elixir or syrup, or as pastilles (using an inert base, such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia) and/or as mouth washes and the like, each containing a predetermined amount of a compound of the present invention as an active ingredient. Compositions or compounds may also be administered as a bolus, electuary or paste.

To prepare solid dosage forms for oral administration (capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), tablets, pills, dragees, powders, granules and the like), the active ingredient is mixed with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate, and/or any of the following: (1) fillers or extenders, such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and/or silicic acid; (2) binders, such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sucrose and/or acacia; (3) humectants, such as glycerol; (4) disintegrating agents, such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate; (5) solution retarding agents, such as paraffin; (6) absorption accelerators, such as quaternary ammonium compounds; (7) wetting agents, such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate; (8) absorbents, such as kaolin and bentonite clay; (9) lubricants, such a talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof; (10) complexing agents, such as, modified and unmodified cyclodextrins; and (11) coloring agents. In the case of capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), tablets and pills, the pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise buffering agents. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugars, as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared using binder (for example, gelatin or hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose), lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, disintegrant (for example, sodium starch glycolate or cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), surface-active or dispersing agent. Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

The tablets, and other solid dosage forms of the pharmaceutical compositions, such as dragees, capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), pills and granules, may optionally be scored or prepared with coatings and shells, such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical-formulating art. They may also be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient therein using, for example, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in varying proportions to provide the desired release profile, other polymer matrices, liposomes and/or microspheres. They may be sterilized by, for example, filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions that can be dissolved in sterile water, or some other sterile injectable medium immediately before use. These compositions may also optionally contain opacifying agents and may be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain portion of the gastrointestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes. The active ingredient can also be in micro-encapsulated form, if appropriate, with one or more of the above-described excipients.

Liquid dosage forms useful for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, lyophiles for reconstitution, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active ingredient, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as, for example, water or other solvents, cyclodextrins and derivatives thereof, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof.

Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, coloring, perfuming and preservative agents.

Suspensions, in addition to the active compounds, may contain suspending agents as, for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, and mixtures thereof.

Formulations of the pharmaceutical compositions for rectal, vaginal, or urethral administration may be presented as a suppository, which may be prepared by mixing one or more active compounds with one or more suitable nonirritating excipients or carriers comprising, for example, cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol, a suppository wax or a salicylate, and which is solid at room temperature, but liquid at body temperature and, therefore, will melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Formulations of the pharmaceutical compositions for administration to the mouth may be presented as a mouthwash, or an oral spray, or an oral ointment.

Alternatively or additionally, compositions can be formulated for delivery via a catheter, stent, wire, or other intraluminal device. Delivery via such devices may be especially useful for delivery to the bladder, urethra, ureter, rectum, or intestine.

Formulations which are suitable for vaginal administration also include pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

Dosage forms for the topical or transdermal administration include powders, sprays, ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, solutions, patches and inhalants. The active compound may be mixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and with any preservatives, buffers, or propellants that may be required.

The ointments, pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to an active compound, excipients, such as animal and vegetable fats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc and zinc oxide, or mixtures thereof.

Powders and sprays can contain, in addition to an active compound, excipients such as lactose, talc, silicic acid, aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicates and polyamide powder, or mixtures of these substances. Sprays can additionally contain customary propellants, such as chlorofluorohydrocarbons and volatile unsubstituted hydrocarbons, such as butane and propane.

Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound of the present invention to the body. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving or dispersing the active compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate of such flux can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

Ophthalmic formulations, eye ointments, powders, solutions and the like, are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention. Exemplary ophthalmic formulations are described in U.S. Publication Nos. 2005/0080056, 2005/0059744, 2005/0031697 and 2005/004074 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,124, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. If desired, liquid ophthalmic formulations have properties similar to that of lacrimal fluids, aqueous humor or vitreous humor or are compatable with such fluids. A preferred route of administration is local administration (e.g., topical administration, such as eye drops, or administration via an implant).

The phrases “parenteral administration” and “administered parenterally” as used herein means modes of administration other than enteral and topical administration, usually by injection, and includes, without limitation, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal, transtracheal, subcutaneous, subcuticular, intraarticular, subcapsular, subarachnoid, intraspinal and intrasternal injection and infusion.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteral administration comprise one or more active compounds in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable sterile isotonic aqueous or nonaqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions, or sterile powders which may be reconstituted into sterile injectable solutions or dispersions just prior to use, which may contain antioxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient or suspending or thickening agents.

Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers that may be employed in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.

These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents, such as sugars, sodium chloride, and the like into the compositions. In addition, prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusion of agents that delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

In some cases, in order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is desirable to slow the absorption of the drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material having poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the drug then depends upon its rate of dissolution, which, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered drug form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the drug in an oil vehicle.

Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsulated matrices of the subject compounds in biodegradable polymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending on the ratio of drug to polymer, and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drug release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions that are compatible with body tissue.

For use in the methods of this invention, active compounds can be given per se or as a pharmaceutical composition containing, for example, 0.1 to 99.5% (more preferably, 0.5 to 90%) of active ingredient in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Methods of introduction may also be provided by rechargeable or biodegradable devices. Various slow release polymeric devices have been developed and tested in vivo in recent years for the controlled delivery of drugs, including proteinacious biopharmaceuticals. A variety of biocompatible polymers (including hydrogels), including both biodegradable and non-degradable polymers, can be used to form an implant for the sustained release of a compound at a particular target site.

Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the pharmaceutical compositions may be varied so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient that is effective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular patient, composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic to the patient.

The selected dosage level will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the particular compound or combination of compounds employed, or the ester, salt or amide thereof, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the particular compound(s) being employed, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds and/or materials used in combination with the particular compound(s) employed, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of the patient being treated, and like factors well known in the medical arts.

A physician or veterinarian having ordinary skill in the art can readily determine and prescribe the therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition required. For example, the physician or veterinarian could start doses of the pharmaceutical composition or compound at levels lower than that required in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the dosage until the desired effect is achieved. By “therapeutically effective amount” is meant the concentration of a compound that is sufficient to elicit the desired therapeutic effect. It is generally understood that the effective amount of the compound will vary according to the weight, sex, age, and medical history of the subject. Other factors which influence the effective amount may include, but are not limited to, the severity of the patient's condition, the disorder being treated, the stability of the compound, and, if desired, another type of therapeutic agent being administered with the compound of the invention. A larger total dose can be delivered by multiple administrations of the agent. Methods to determine efficacy and dosage are known to those skilled in the art (Isselbacher et al. (1996) Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 13 ed., 1814-1882, herein incorporated by reference).

In general, a suitable daily dose of an active compound used in the compositions and methods of the invention will be that amount of the compound that is the lowest dose effective to produce a therapeutic effect. Such an effective dose will generally depend upon the factors described above.

If desired, the effective daily dose of the active compound may be administered as one, two, three, four, five, six or more sub-doses administered separately at appropriate intervals throughout the day, optionally, in unit dosage forms. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the active compound may be administered two or three times daily. In preferred embodiments, the active compound will be administered once daily.

The patient receiving this treatment is any animal in need, including primates, in particular humans, and other mammals such as equines, cattle, swine and sheep; and poultry and pets in general.

In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be used alone or conjointly administered with another type of therapeutic agent. As used herein, the phrase “conjoint administration” refers to any form of administration of two or more different therapeutic compounds such that the second compound is administered while the previously administered therapeutic compound is still effective in the body (e.g., the two compounds are simultaneously effective in the patient, which may include synergistic effects of the two compounds). For example, the different therapeutic compounds can be administered either in the same formulation or in a separate formulation, either concomitantly or sequentially. In certain embodiments, the different therapeutic compounds can be administered within one hour, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, or a week of one another. Thus, an individual who receives such treatment can benefit from a combined effect of different therapeutic compounds.

This invention includes the use of pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of the invention in the compositions and methods of the present invention. In certain embodiments, contemplated salts of the invention include, but are not limited to, alkyl, dialkyl, trialkyl or tetra-alkyl ammonium salts. In certain embodiments, contemplated salts of the invention include, but are not limited to, L-arginine, benenthamine, benzathine, betaine, calcium hydroxide, choline, deanol, diethanolamine, diethylamine, 2-(diethylamino)ethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine, hydrabamine, 1H-imidazole, lithium, L-lysine, magnesium, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine, piperazine, potassium, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine, sodium, triethanolamine, tromethamine, and zinc salts. In certain embodiments, contemplated salts of the invention include, but are not limited to, Na, Ca, K, Mg, Zn or other metal salts.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts can also exist as various solvates, such as with water, methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, and the like. Mixtures of such solvates can also be prepared. The source of such solvate can be from the solvent of crystallization, inherent in the solvent of preparation or crystallization, or adventitious to such solvent.

Wetting agents, emulsifiers and lubricants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, release agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the compositions.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants include: (1) water-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite and the like; (2) oil-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and (3) metal-chelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a method for conducting a pharmaceutical business, by manufacturing a formulation of a compound of the invention, or a kit as described herein, and marketing to healthcare providers the benefits of using the formulation or kit for treating or preventing any of the diseases or conditions as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a method for conducting a pharmaceutical business, by providing a distribution network for selling a formulation of a compound of the invention, or kit as described herein, and providing instruction material to patients or physicians for using the formulation for treating or preventing any of the diseases or conditions as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises a method for conducting a pharmaceutical business, by determining an appropriate formulation and dosage of a compound of the invention for treating or preventing any of the diseases or conditions as described herein, conducting therapeutic profiling of identified formulations for efficacy and toxicity in animals, and providing a distribution network for selling an identified preparation as having an acceptable therapeutic profile. In certain embodiments, the method further includes providing a sales group for marketing the preparation to healthcare providers.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a method for conducting a pharmaceutical business by determining an appropriate formulation and dosage of a compound of the invention for treating or preventing any of the disease or conditions as described herein, and licensing, to a third party, the rights for further development and sale of the formulation.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthetic Protocols

To a suspension of 1019 (1.5 g, 6.8 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) at 0° C. was added Et₃N (1.9 ml, 13.6 mmol) dropwise followed by phenyl acetyl chloride (1.07 ml, 8.1 mmol) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. and then slowly warmed up to room temperature for 2 days. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-25% EtOAc in hexane to afford 1020.

To a solution of 4-bromo-1-butyne (7 g, 53 mmol) in DMSO (30 ml) at 0° C. was added NaI (7.94 g, 53 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h before it was cooled to 0° C. and followed by addition of NaCN (5.2 g, 106 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated at 80° C. for 2.5 h and then stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to afford 1021.

To a mixture of 1020 (400 mg, 1.18 mmol), PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂(41 mg, 0.059 mmol) and CuI (11 mg, 0.059 mmol) in Et₃N (3 ml) and THF (6 ml) under argon atmosphere was added 1021 (187 mg, 2.36 mmol), then heated at 60° C. overnight. After removal of the solvent, the residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-60% EtOAc in Hexane to afford 1022.

To a solution of 1022 (118 mg, 0.406 mmol) in the mixture of EtOAc (60 ml) and EtOH (15 ml) was added Pd(OH)₂/C (50 mg, 0.356 mmol). Hydrogen was bubbled through the resulting mixture and stirred for 1 h. The Pd catalyst was filterd off and the filtrate was concentrated to afford 1023.

A mixture of 1023 (127 mg, 0.431 mmol) and thiosemicarbazide (51 mg, 0.561 mmol) in TFA (3 mL) was heated at 85° C. for 5 h. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and poured onto a mixture of ice-water. The mixture was basified with NaOH pellets (pH 10). The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-6% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to afford 1024.

To a solution of 1024 (38.4 mg, 0.104 mmol) in NMP (1 mL) at 0° C. was added phenyl acetyl chloride (0.017 mL, 0.125 mmol) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 h before it was quenched by addition of water (˜10 mL). The mixture was partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-6% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to afford 295. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.65 (s, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=8.82 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (d, J=9.72 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.28 (m, 10H), 3.81-3.78 (d, J=8.43 Hz, 4H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

Compound 1024 can also be prepared according to the following procedure:

To a solution of 3-amino-6-chloropyridazine (11.14 g, 86.0 mmol) in NMP (279 mL) at 19° C. was added phenylacetyl chloride (18.2 mL, 137.6 mmol) dropwise over 5 minutes with the internal temperature of the solution maintained T_(i)≦28° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 19° C. for 90 minutes and poured into ice water (557 mL). The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with water (2×110 mL) and diethyl ether (110 mL). The product was dried overnight under high vacuum to afford N-(6-chloropyridazin-3-yl)-2-phenylacetamide (xxx, 18.8 g). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.57 (s, 1H), 8.40 (d, J=9.636 Hz, 1H), 7.90 (d, J=9.516 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (m, 5H) 3.82 (s, 2H)

A 1000 mL three-neck flask fitted with internal temperature probe and addition funnel was flushed with Ar_((g)). Under positive Argon pressure 4-cyanobutylzinc bromide (0.5M in THF, 500 mL, 250 mmol) was charged into the addition funnel then added to the reaction vessel at room temperature. Solid N-(6-chloropyridazin-3-yl)-2-phenylacetamide (20.6 g, 83.3 mmol) was added to the stirred solution at RT under Ar_((g)) flow, followed by the addition of NiCl₂(dppp) (4.52 g, 8.33 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 19° C. for 240 minutes and then quenched with ethanol (120 mL). Water (380 mL) added to the stirred red solution, giving a thick precipitate. Ethyl acetate (760 mL) added and stirred well for 30 minutes. The solids were removed by filtration through a pad of celite. The mother liquor was then transferred to a separatory funnel and the organic layer was washed with H₂O (380 mL), 0.5% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution (380 mL) and again with H₂O (380 mL). The organic layer was concentrated by rotoevaporation. Resulting red oil was redissolved in EtOAc (200 mL) and 1M HCl (380 mL) was added to the well stirred flask. After 30 minutes the mixture was transferred to separatory funnel and the aqueous layer collected. The organic layer was extracted with 1M HCl (2×380 mL). The aqueous layer's pH was then adjusted to ˜7 using 7.5% sodium bicarbonate solution and the pale yellow precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with water (200 mL) and diethyl ether (2×200 mL). The solid was dried overnight under high vacuum to afford N-(6-(4-cyanobutyl)pyridazin-3-yl)-2-phenylacetamide (1023, 14.76 g). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.29 (s, 1H), 8.23 (d, J=9.036 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=9.246 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (m, 5H), 3.79 (s, 2H), 2.90 (t, J=7.357 Hz, 2H), 2.56 (t, J=7.038 Hz, 2H), 1.79 (t, J=7.311 Hz, 2H), 1.63 (t, J=7.01 Hz, 2H)

N-(6-(4-cyanobutyl)pyridazin-3-yl)-2-phenylacetamide (14.7 g, 50.2 mmol) was charged into a 250 mL round bottom flask fitted with an open top reflux condenser. To the flask was added thiosemicarbazide (5.03 g, 55.2 mmol) and trifluoroacetic acid (88 mL). The reaction slurry was heated in a 65° C. bath for 2 h. After cooling to RT, H₂O (150 mL) was added and stirred for 30 minutes. The mixture was then slowly transferred to a stirred 7.5% sodium bicarbonate solution (1400 mL) cooled in a 0° C. bath. The precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with water (2×200 mL), diethyl ether (2×200 mL) and dried under high vacuum overnight. The off-white solid was slurried in DMSO (200 mL) and heated in an 80° C. bath until the internal temperature reached 65° C. DMSO (105 mL) was used to rinse sides of flask. H₂O (120 mL) was slowly added until the solution became slightly cloudy and then the mixture was removed from heat bath and allowed to cool to ambient temperature while stirring. The pale green precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with water (200 mL) and diethyl ether (2×200 mL). The solid was dried overnight under high vacuum to provide N-(6-(4-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)butyl)pyridazin-3-yl)-2-phenylacetamide (1024, 15.01 g). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.28 (s, 1H), 8.23 (d, J=8.916 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.826 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (m, 5H), 7.07 (s, 2H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 2.87 (t, J=6.799 Hz, 4H), 1.69 (bm, 4H).

A flask was charged with 1024 (500 mg, 1.36 mmol), DL-mandelic acid (248 mg, 1.63 mmol) in DMF (10 ml) at 0° C. was added HOBT (441 mg, 3.26 mmol) followed by EDCI (781 mg, 4.08 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 10 minutes then warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 10 minutes before it was quenched by addition of water (˜50 mL) at 0° C. The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water and dried to afford 315. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.65 (s, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=8.82 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.50 (m, 3H), 7.36-7.28 (m, 8H), 6.35 (s, 1H), 5.32 (s, 1H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

To a suspension of 3-morpholin-4-yl-propionic acid hydrochloride (209 mg, 1.07 mmol) in DMF (10 ml) was added EDCI (308 mg, 1.61 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour and followed by addition of 315 (447 mg, 0.889 mmol) and 4-DMAP (261 mg, 2.14 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred from 0° C. to room temperature over a period of 6 h before it was quenched by addition of ice water (˜50 mL). The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-6% MeOH in EtOAc to afford 334. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.95 (s, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.45 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.26 (m, 11H), 6.14 (s, 1H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 3.54 (bs, 4H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.63 (bs, 4H), 2.38 (bs, 4H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

A flask was charged with 1024 (50 mg, 0.135 mmol), 3-chlorophenylacetic acid (28 mg, 0.163 mmol) in DMF (1 ml) at 0° C. was added HOBT (44 mg, 0.326 mmol) followed by EDCI (78 mg, 0.408 mmol). The resulting mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 1 h before it was quenched by addition of water (˜5 mL). The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water and ether then dried to afford 335. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.65 (s, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=8.82 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (d, J=9.72 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.28 (m, 9H), 3.84 (s, 2H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

Compound 413 was prepared according to the procedure above for the preparation of compound 315. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.68 (bs, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.46 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.26 (m, 10H), 3.90 (s, 2H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 3.02 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.74 (bs, 4H).

To a suspension of 295 (30 mg, 0.0617 mmol) in MeOH (2 ml) at 0° C. was added 2N NaOH (2 ml) solution. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was evaporated under vacuo and the mixture was acidified with 1N HCl to pH 6. The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water and dried to afford 348. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.32-7.24 (m, 5H), 7.15-7.12 (d, J=9.57 Hz, 1H), 6.72-6.69 (d, J=9.15 Hz, 1H), 6.09 (s, 2H), 3.77 (s, 2H), 2.99-2.96 (bs, 2H), 2.76-2.70 (bs, 2H), 1.70 (bs, 4H).

To a mixture of 413 (1.62 g) in MeOH (25 mL), THF (10 mL) and H₂O (10 mL) at room temperature was added 1N aq. NaOH (8 mL). This mixture was stirred for 24 h before the organic volatile was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was neutralized to pH 7 with 1N aq. HCl solution and extracted with EtOAc (2×20 mL). The combined extract was dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The crude was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 1-15% MeOH in dichloromethane (DCM) to afford amine 1116. The resulting amine 1116 was converted to 660 as described for 335. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.68 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.21 (m, 8H), 3.90 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

3-Amino-6-chloropyridazine (55.5 g, 0.428 mol) and 3-(Trifluoromethoxy)phenylacetic acid (1.1 equiv., 0.471 mol, 104 g) were dissolved in DMF (30.0 vol., 1.66 L) in a 3000 mL three neck round-bottom flask. Addition of DIEA (1.1 equiv., 0.471 mol, 82 mL) via addition funnel was done over 5 minutes. Propylphosphonic anhydride solution (300 mL of a 50% solution in DMF, 1.1 equiv., 0.471 mol,) was charged into a 500 mL addition funnel and added dropwise to reaction solution (keeping reaction temperature ≦+30° C.). The reaction usually goes to completion after 3 hours (TLC: 6:4 hexanes-ethyl acetate). Reaction mixture was then poured into 7.5% sodium bicarbonate (80.0 vol., 4.4 L) which was chilled in an ice bath. Off-white crystalline powder was filtered through a Büchner funnel, rinsed with water (20.0 vol., 1.1 L). Dried in a 50° C. vacuum to a constant weight to afford N-(6-chloropyridazin-3-yl)-2-β-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)acetamide 1117: yield of 119.6 g (77%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.63 (s, 1H), 8.38 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.27 (m, 4H), 3.90 (s, 2H).

4-Cyanobutylzinc bromide solution (3.0 equiv., 0.50 mol, 1.0 L) was charged into an argon gas purged 5000 mL 3 neck round bottom flask. Argon_((g)) purge for 5 minutes followed by the addition of 1117 (1.0 equiv., 0.167 mol, 55.3 g) and NiCl₂(dppp) (0.15 equiv., 0.0251 mol, 13.6 g) under a blanket of argon_((g)). The reaction usually goes to completion after 4 hours (TLC: 1:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). EtOAc (15 vol., 832 mL) added to deep red solution. Water (15 vol., 832 mL) was added, thick slurry formed. 1N HCl added until slurry breaks to pale blue layer (˜6 vol., 333 mL). Transferred to separatory funnel and organic layer was washed with 1N HCl (2×500 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated by rotary evaporation (bath ≦30° C.) to a solid reddish oil. Oil dissolved in dichloromethane (15 vol., 832 mL), silica gel (100 g) was slurried into red solution, this was concentrated by rotary evaporation (bath ≦30° C.) to a solid reddish powder. Loaded onto a bed of silica gel (5 cm×11 cm), flushed with 25% hexanes in ethyl Acetate (3 L), combined organics concentrated by rotary evaporation (bath ≦30° C.). Dried under high vacuum to a constant weight to afford N-(6-(4-cyanobutyl)pyridazin-3-yl)-2-β-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)acetamide 1118: yield of 58.2 g (92%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.41 (s, 1H), 8.28 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.27 (m, 4H), 3.89 (s, 2H), 2.92 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.56 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.80 (m, 2H), 1.61 (m, 2H).

1118 (1.0 equiv., 0.154 mol, 58.2 g) was charged into a 500 mL round bottom flask along with thiosemicarbazide (1.2 equiv., 0.184 mol, 16.8 g). TFA (5 vol., 291 mL) slowly added to reaction vessel while stirring. The reaction slurry was heated in a 65° C. bath with an open top reflux condenser. The reaction usually goes to completion after 5 hours (determined by LC/MS). Toluene (10 vol., 582 mL) added to deep red solution, azeotroped by rotary evaporation (bath ≦30° C.) to a red oil. Slowly transferred oil to a well stirred 6000 mL Erlenmeyer flask containing 7.5% sodium bicarbonate solution (69 vol., 4.0 L) cooled in a 0° C. bath. The crystals were filtered through a Büchner funnel and rinsed twice with diethyl ether (5 vol., 2×250 mL). Dried under high vacuum to a constant weight to afford N-(6-(4-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)butyl)pyridazin-3-yl)-2-β-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)acetamide 657; yield of 55.7 g (80%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.33 (s, 1H), 8.21 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.26 (m, 4H), 6.99 (s, 2H), 3.88 (s, 2H), 2.87 (m, 4H), 1.71 (m, 4H).

To a solution of 657 (50 mg, 0.11 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at 0° C. was added 4-fluorophenyl acetic acid (22 mg, 0.14 mmol), HOBt (30 mg, 0.22 mmol) and EDCI (42 mg, 0.22 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h before it was cooled to 0° C. and quenched with H₂O. The precipitate was collected by suction filtration and further purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 1-10% MeOH in DCM to afford 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.65 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 7.49-7.14 (m, 8H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.81 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

662 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.07 (m, 7H), 3.89 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

663 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.74 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.19 (m, 7H), 3.97 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

To a mixture of 1-bromo-3-(difluoromethoxy)benzene (1 g, 4.5 mmol), bis(tri-tert-butylphosphine) palladium(0) (460 mg, 0.9 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (30 ml) under argon atmosphere was added 0.5 M of 2-tert-butoxy-2-oxoethyl zinc chloride in ether (22.5 ml). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was partitioned between saturated NH₄Cl and EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-10% EtOAc in Hexane to afford 1119.

To a solution of 1119 (300 mg, 1.16 mmol) in DCM (5 ml) at 0° C. was added TFA (3 ml) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight before it was evaporated to dryness then triturated the residue with ether to afford 1120.

A flask was charged with 348 (50 mg, 0.135 mmol), 1120 (28 mg, 0.142 mmol) in DMF (1 ml) at 0° C. was added HOBT (39 mg, 0.285 mmol) followed by EDCI (68 mg, 0.356 mmol). The resulting mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and stirred overnight before it was quenched by addition of ice water (˜5 mL). The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-6% MeOH in DCM to afford 666. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (d, J=9.03 Hz, 1H), 7.48-6.98 (m, 10H), 3.81 (bs, 4H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

668 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.15 Hz, 1H), 7.58-6.99 (m, 10H), 3.87-3.84 (d, 4H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

669 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.09 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (d, J=9.37 Hz, 1H), 7.48-7.28 (m, 6H), 7.03-6.97 (m, 2H), 4.77-4.74 (q, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

A flask was charged with 657 (50 mg, 0.111 mmol), 2-pyridine acetic acid hydrochloride (20 mg, 0.116 mmol) in DMF (1 ml) at 0° C. was treated with propylphosphonic anhydride solution (91 ul) followed by triethylamine (40 ul, 0.29 mmol). The resulting mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 1 h before it was quenched by addition of ice water (˜5 mL). The yellow precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-6% MeOH in DCM to afford 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.53-8.49 (m, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.78-7.76 (t, 1H), 7.58-7.26 (m, 7H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

671 was made using procedure described for compound 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.70 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.53-8.48 (m, 2H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.76-7.26 (m, 7H), 3.87 (s, 4H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

672 was made using procedure described for compound 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.53-8.52 (bs, 2H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.26 (m, 7H), 3.87 (s, 4H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

673 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.69 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.21 (m, 8H), 3.90 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

674 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.63 (bs, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.33-7.09 (m, 5H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.79 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 2.48 (s, 3H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

A flask was charged with 657 (70 mg, 0.155 mmol), 5-pyrimidineacetic acid (22 mg, 0.162 mmol) in DMF (1 ml) at 0° C. was added HOBT (44 mg, 0.326 mmol) followed by EDCI (78 mg, 0.408 mmol). The resulting mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and stirred for overnight before it was quenched by addition of ice water (˜5 mL). The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-6% MeOH in DCM to afford 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 9.11 (s, 1H), 8.76 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 6H), 3.94 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

676 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.70 (s, 1H), 8.61-8.57 (m, 2H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.36 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 5H), 4.11 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

677 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.89 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.15 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 5H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 3.99 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

678 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 9.06 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.21 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 6H), 4.03 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

679 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.36 (m, 4H), 7.29-7.12 (m, 4H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.85 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

680 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.28 (m, 8H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.84 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

To a solution of 674 (100 mg, 0.16 mmol) in DCM at −78° C. was added m-CPBA (60 mg, 0.24 mmol) in 4 portions. The resulting mixture was stirred at that temperature for 1 h before it was slowly warmed up to −10° C. and quenched with 25% aq. Na₂S₂O₃ solution. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc, washed with saturated aq. NaHCO₃ (3×10 mL). The combined organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The crude was purified by HPLC to afford 682. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.72 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (m, 1H), 7.60-7.26 (m, 8H), 3.91 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 2.76 (s, 3H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

681 was prepared from 657 and 3-methylsulphonylphenyl acetic acid by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.72 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.92-7.83 (m, 2H), 7.70-7.26 (m, 7H), 3.93 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.23 (s, 3H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

683 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.36 (s, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.18 Hz, 1H), 7.84-7.80 (d, J=9.36 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 6H), 3.90-3.87 (d, 4H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

684 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.57 (s, 1H), 8.51-8.49 (d, J=9.18 Hz, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.79-7.75 (d, J=9.36 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 6H), 4.07 (t, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.30-3.28 (m, 1H), 3.19 (s, 3H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.3-2.5 (m, 1H), 1.99-1.96 (m, 1H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

685 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.52 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.61-7.25 (m, 7H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.62 (s, 2H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

686 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.53 (bs, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.26 (m, 4H), 5.96 (s, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.67 (s, 2H), 3.64 (s, 3H), 3.06-2.86 (m, 4H), 2.21 (s, 3H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

687 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.56 (bs, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.61-7.38 (m, 6H), 6.17 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.75 (s, 2H), 3.03-2.90 (m, 4H), 1.7-1.72 (m, 4H).

688 was prepared by the procedure as described for compound 661. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.61 (bs, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.26 (m, 4H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.84 (s, 2H), 3.07-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.72 (m, 4H).

To a solution of 657 (200 mg, 0.44 mmol) in DMF (4 mL) at 0° C. was added mandelic acid (124 mg, 0.66 mmol), HOBt (119 mg, 0.88 mmol) and EDCI (170 mg, 0.88 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h before it was cooled to 0° C. and quenched with H₂O. The precipitate was collected by suction filtration and further purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 1-10% MeOH in DCM to afford 690 and a more polar 689. 689: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.42 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.27 (m, 10H), 6.35 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (d, J=4.3 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.03-2.89 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.73 (m, 4H). 690: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.05 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 15H), 6.26 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 6.11 (s, 1H), 5.38 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.03-2.88 (m, 4H), 1.76-1.73 (m, 4H).

447 was prepared from 657 and 3-chloromandelic acid by the procedure as described for compound 689. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.48 (bs, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 9H), 6.53 (m, 1H), 5.36 (t, J=0.7 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.03-2.90 (m, 4H), 1.75-1.71 (m, 4H).

692 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.18 Hz, 1H), 7.80-7.26 (m, 9H), 3.92 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

693 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (s, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 6H), 6.31 (s, 1H), 5.20 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

694 was made using procedure described for compound 675. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.18 (d, J=9.15 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (d, J=9.18 Hz, 1H), 7.48-7.26 (m, 4H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.63 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 2.13 (s, 3H), 1.73 (bs, 4H), 1.57 (s, 9H).

To a solution of 694 (50 mg, 0.081 mmol) in DCM (2 ml) was added TFA (2 ml) at 0° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h before it was evaporated under vacuo to dryness. Ether was added and the white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more ether to afford 695. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.36 Hz, 1H), 7.60-7.57 (d, J=9.27 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.28 (m, 4H), 3.88 (s, 2H), 3.57 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.45 (s, 3H), 2.15 (s, 3H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

696 was made using procedure described for compound 695. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.30 Hz, 1H), 8.15 (s, 1H), 7.58-7.54 (d, J=9.30 Hz, 1H), 7.48-7.28 (m, 5H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.76 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H), 1.59 (s, 9H).

697 was made using procedure described for compound 695. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 14.22 (s, 1H), 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 9.01 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.15 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 6H), 4.04 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

To a suspension of 3-morpholin-4-yl-propionic acid hydrochloride (113 mg, 0.58 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) at 0° C. was added N-β-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (130 mg, 0.67 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 40 min and followed by addition of 689 (300 mg, 0.48 mmol) and 4-DMAP (165 mg, 1.35 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred from 0° C. to room temperature over a period of 3.5 h before it was diluted with EtOAc and cold water. The organic layer was separated and washed with water (3×15 mL), brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The crude product was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-15% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to provide 711 (297 mg) as white solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 10.75 (bs, 1H), 8.49 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.50-7.26 (m, 7H), 7.16-7.15 (m, 1H), 6.51 (s, 1H), 4.04 (s, 2H), 3.80-3.72 (m, 4H), 3.88-2.81 (m, 8H), 2.75-2.71 (m, 5H), 1.89 (m, 4H).

A mixture of 1117 (4.00 g, 12.06 mmol), 4-pentynenitrile (2.11 mL, 24.12 mmol), PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ (847 mg, 1.21 mmol), CuI (184 mg, 0.96 mmol) and Et₃N (13.44 mL, 96.48 mmoL) in DMF (18 mL) was heated at 55° C. for 5 h. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and poured into a mixture of ice-water. The precipitate was collected by suction filtration and air dried. The crude product was further recrystallized from a mixture of i-PrOH—H₂O first and then from i-PrOH to provide alkyne 1131.

A mixture of alkyne 1131 (6.00 g) and Pd(OH)₂/C (1.00 g) in a mixture of EtOAc (150 mL), THF (75 mL) and MeOH (75 mL) was stirred under 1 atm of D₂ at room temperature for 3 h before the catalyst was filtered off a short plug of SiO₂ and rinsed with EtOAc. The filtrate was concentrated to provide the crude product which was further recrystallized from a mixture of EtOAc and ether to give the desired alkane 1132 as off-white solid (6.01 g)

A mixture of nitrile 1132 (5.20 g, 13.61 mmol) and thiosemicarbazide (1.61 g, 17.69 mmol) in TFA (75 mL) was heated at 80° C. for 4 h. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and poured into a mixture of ice-water. The mixture was basified with NaOH pellets (pH 14). The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with water and dried to provide 726 (5.87 g).

To a solution of 726 (1.40 g, 3.07 mmol) and 2-pyridylacetic acid HCl salt (1.49 g, 8.59 mmol) in DMF (20 mL) at 0° C. was added Et₃N (1.50 mL, 10.73 mmol) and followed by 1-propanephosphonic anhydride (2.73 mL, 50% in DMF, 4.29 mmol). This mixture was stirred for 2.5 h at room temperature before it was cooled back to 0° C. and quenched with ice-H₂O. The precipitate was collected by suction filtration and air dried. This crude product was further purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-15% MeOH in DCM to afford 727 (0.97 g). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (s, 1H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.20 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (dt, J=1.8, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.26 (m, 6H), 4.02 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.03 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.73 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H).

Compound 710 was prepared from compound 447 using a procedure analogous to that employed for the preparation of compound 711. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.62-7.26 (m, 9H), 6.16 (s, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.52-3.50 (d, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.80-2.71 (m, 11H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

Compound 712 was prepared from compound 447 using a procedure analogous to that employed for the preparation of compound 711. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.62-7.26 (m, 9H), 6.16 (s, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.38-3.36 (d, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.29 (s, 6H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

Compound 713 was prepared from compound 447 using a procedure analogous to that employed for the preparation of compound 711. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.11 (bs, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.62-7.26 (m, 9H), 6.16 (s, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.60-3.57 (m, 4H), 3.44-3.42 (d, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.55-2.51 (m, 4H), 1.73 (bs, 4H).

Compound 714 was prepared from compound 447 using a procedure analogous to that employed for the preparation of compound 711. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.62-7.26 (m, 9H), 6.16 (s, 1H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.38-3.31 (d, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.49-2.47 (m, 4H), 1.93 (bs, 4H), 1.73 (bs, 4H), 1.72 (bs, 2H).

To a suspension of 670 (3 g, 5.24 mmol) in MeOH (50 ml) at 0° C. was added 2N NaOH (20 ml) solution. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was evaporated under vacuo and the mixture was acidified with 1N HCl to pH 6. The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water and dried to afford 1121a. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 8.51-8.50 (m, 1H), 7.81-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.28 (m, 2H), 7.16-7.13 (d, 1H), 6.73-6.70 (d, 1H), 6.10 (s, 2H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.71 (bs, 2H), 1.70 (bs, 4H).

To a solution of 1121a (20 mg, 0.054 mmol) in DMF (1 ml) at 0° C. was added triethylamine (11 ul, 0.081 mmol) drop wise followed by o-acetylmandelic acid chloride (15 ul, 0.065 mmol) drop wise. The resulting mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 1 h before it was quenched by addition of water (˜3 mL) at 0° C. The mixture was partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-5% MeOH in DCM to afford 1122.

A flask was charged with 1122 (20 mg, 0.037 mmol) and 2N ammonia in MeOH (5 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated under vacuo and the mixture was triturated with ether. The white precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with ether and dried to afford 715. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 10.61 (s, 1H), 8.51-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.61-7.53 (m, 3H), 7.42-7.28 (m, 5H), 6.49-6.47 (d, 1H), 5.30-5.28 (d, 1H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 3.02 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.75 (bs, 4H).

Compound 719 was prepared using a procedure analogous to that employed for the preparation of compound 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.51-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.79-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.59-7.30 (m, 6H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.75 (bs, 4H).

Compound 720 was prepared using a procedure analogous to that employed for the preparation of compound 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.51-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.19-8.16 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.79-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.59-7.30 (m, 6H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.95 (s, 2H), 3.03 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.76 (bs, 4H).

Compound 721 was prepared using a procedure analogous to that employed for the preparation of compound 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.51-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.16 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.28 (m, 7H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.89 (s, 2H), 3.03 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.76 (bs, 4H).

Compound 717 was prepared using a procedure analogous to that employed for the preparation of compound 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.19-8.16 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.55 (d, 1H), 7.42-7.09 (m, 4H), 7.08-7.06 (d, 1H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.83 (s, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.03 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.76 (bs, 4H).

To a solution of 717 (10 mg, 0.017 mmol) in DCM (3 ml) at 0° C. was added boron tribromide solution (1N in DCM) (2 ml) drop wise. The resulting mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 4.5 h before it was quenched by addition of water (˜3 mL). The mixture was then basified with 1N NaOH to pH 8. The mixture was partitioned between water and DCM. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-10% MeOH in DCM to afford 718. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.17 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.55 (d, 1H), 7.51-7.09 (m, 4H), 6.88-6.85 (d, 1H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 3.79 (s, 2H), 3.03 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.76 (bs, 4H).

Compound 1128 was prepared from 4-bromo-2-trifluoromethoxyanisole using a procedure analogous to that for compound 1124 below.

Compound 722 was prepared using compound 1128 with a procedure analogous to that for compound 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.55 (d, 1H), 7.42-7.19 (m, 5H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.79 (s, 2H), 3.03 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.76 (bs, 4H).

Compound 723 was prepared from compound 722 using a procedure analogous to that for the preparation of compound 718 above. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 10.06 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.55 (d, 1H), 7.42-7.19 (m, 4H), 6.99-6.96 (d, 1H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 3.70 (s, 2H), 3.03 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.76 (bs, 4H).

Compound 1129 was prepared from 3-bromo-5-trifluoromethoxyanisole using a procedure analogous to that for compound 1126 below.

Compound 729 was prepared using compound 1129 with a procedure analogous to that for compound 670. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 11.28 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.55 (d, 1H), 7.42-7.29 (m, 2H), 6.99-6.95 (m, 2H), 6.84 (s, 1H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 3.80 (m, 5H), 3.03 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.76 (bs, 4H).

Compound 730 was prepared from compound 729 using a procedure analogous to that for the preparation of compound 718 above. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66 (s, 1H), 11.28 (s, 1H), 10.04 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.50 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.18 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1H), 7.81-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.55 (d, 1H), 7.42-7.29 (m, 2H), 6.81-6.78 (m, 2H), 6.61 (s, 1H), 4.0 (s, 2H), 3.74 (m, 2H), 3.03 (bs, 2H), 2.91 (bs, 2H), 1.76 (bs, 4H).

To a mixture of 6-(di-Boc-amino)-2-bromopyridine (1 g, 2.9 mmol), bis(tri-tert-butylphosphine) palladium(0) (300 mg, 0.59 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (30 ml) under argon atmosphere was added 0.5 M of 2-tert-butoxy-2-oxoethyl zinc chloride in ether (15 ml). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was partitioned between saturated NH₄Cl and EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-20% EtOAc in Hexane to afford 1123.

To a solution of 1123 (150 mg, 0.37 mmol) in MeOH (6 ml) and water (2 ml) at 0° C. was added Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (100 mg, 2.38 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 days before it was evaporated to dryness. The mixture was then acidified with 1N HCl (pH 4), and it was partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to afford 1124.

A flask was charged with 657 (105 mg, 0.232 mmol), 1124 (90 mg, 0.255 mmol) in DMF (1 ml) at 0° C. was added propylphosphonic anhydride solution (300 ul) followed by triethylamine (89 ul, 0.64 mmol). The resulting mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 3 h before it was quenched by addition of ice water (˜5 mL). The precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-6% MeOH in DCM to afford 724. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 9.69 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.72-7.01 (m, 8H), 3.91-3.87 (d, 4H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.75 (bs, 4H) 1.47 (s, 9H).

To a solution of 724 (50 mg, 0.07 mmol) in DCM (3 ml) at 0° C. was added TFA (3 ml) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h before it was evaporated to dryness then triturated the residue with ether to afford 725. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.88-7.77 (m, 3H), 7.59-7.26 (m, 5H), 6.90-6.80 (m, 2H), 4.05 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.75 (bs, 4H).

To a stirred solution of tert-butyl acetate (789 ul, 5.88 mmol), 2-chloro-6-methylpyridine (428 ul, 3.92 mmol), chloro(2-di-t-butylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-tri-1-propyl-1,1′-bi-phenyl)[2-(2-aminoethyl)phenyl]palladium(II) (27 mg, 0.039 mmol) in toluene (10 ml) at 0° C. under argon was added a solution of LHMDS (1M in toluene) (12 ml, 12 mmol) pre-cooled to 0° C. The resulting mixture was stirred for 1 h. The mixture was partitioned between saturated NH₄Cl and EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-15% EtOAc in Hexane to afford 1125.

To a solution of 1125 (267 mg, 1.29 mmol) in DCM (3 ml) at 0° C. was added TFA (1.5 ml) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight before it was evaporated to dryness then triturated the residue with ether to afford 1126.

A flask was charged with 657 (50 mg, 0.111 mmol), 1126 (35 mg, 0.133 mmol) in DMF (1 ml) at 0° C. was added propylphosphonic anhydride solution (155 ul) followed by triethylamine (57 ul, 0.4 mmol). The resulting mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 3 h before it was quenched by addition of ice water (˜5 mL). The precipitate was collected by suction filtration, rinsed with more water. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-6% MeOH in DCM to afford 728. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.69-7.15 (m, 8H), 3.96 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 1.75 (bs, 4H).

To a solution of ethyl 2-pyridyl acetate (1 g, 6.05 mmol) in DCM (20 ml) at 0° C. was added MCPBA (77% max) (1.77 g, 10.2 mmol). The resulting mixture was warmed up to room temperature for 3 h before it was partitioned between saturated sodium bicarbonate and DCM. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-12% MeOH in EtOAc to afford 1127.

To a suspension of 657 (331 mg, 0.73 mmol) in toluene was added 1127 (278 mg, 1.53 mmol) followed by trimethylaluminum (2M in toluene) (732 ul, 1.46 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 60° C. overnight. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water and DCM. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-5% MeOH in DCM then 0-15% MeOH in EtOAc to afford 716. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.67 (s, 1H), 11.32 (s, 1H), 8.29-8.27 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.19 (d, J=9.12 Hz, 1H), 7.61-7.26 (m, 8H), 4.03 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 3.01 (bs, 2H), 2.90 (bs, 2H), 1.75 (bs, 4H).

Example 2 Compound Assays

Compounds were assayed in both an in vitro biochemical assay and a cell proliferation assay as follows. The IC50 results are provided in Table 2.

Recombinant Enzyme Assay

Compounds were assessed for their ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of a recombinant form of Glutaminase 1 (GAC) using a biochemical assay that couples the production of glutamate (liberated by GAC) to glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and measuring the change in absorbance for the reduction of NAD⁺ to NADH. Substrate solution was prepared (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 0.2 mM EDTA, 150 mM K₂HPO₄, 0.1 mg/ml BSA, 1 mM DTT, 20 mM L-glutamine, 2 mM NAD⁺, and 10 ppm antifoam) and 50 μL added to a 96-well half area clear plate (Corning #3695). Compound (2 μL) was added to give a final DMSO concentration of 2% at 2× the desired concentration of compound. Enzymatic reaction was started with the addition of 50 μL of enzyme solution (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 0.2 mM EDTA, 150 mM K₂HPO₄, 0.1 mg/ml BSA, 1 mM DTT, 10 ppm antifoam, 4 units/ml GDH, 4 mM adenosine diphosphate, and 4 nM GAC) and read in a Molecular Devices M5 plate reader at 20° C. The plate reader was configured to read absorbance (λ=340 nm) in kinetic mode for 15 minutes. Data was recorded as milli-absorbance units per minute and slopes were compared to a control compound and a DMSO-only control on the same plate. Compounds with slopes less than the DMSO control were considered inhibitors and plate variability was assessed using the control compound.

Results from this assay for several compounds of the invention are shown in Table 2, expressed as IC50, or half maximal inhibitory concentration, wherein IC50 is a quantitative measure indicating how much compound is needed to inhibit a given biological activity by half.

Recombinant Enzyme Assay—Time Dependence

Compounds were assessed for their ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of a recombinant form of Glutaminase 1 (GAC) using a biochemical assay that couples the production of glutamate (liberated by GAC) to glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and measuring the change in absorbance for the reduction of NAD⁺ to NADH. Enzyme solution was prepared (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 0.2 mM EDTA, 150 mM K₂HPO₄, 0.1 mg/ml BSA, 1 mM DTT, 10 ppm antifoam, 4 units/ml GDH, 4 mM adenosine diphosphate, and 4 nM GAC) and 50 μL added to a 96-well half area clear plate (Corning #3695). Compound (2 μL) was added to give a final DMSO concentration of 2% at 2× the desired concentration of compound. The enzyme/compound mix was sealed with sealing foil (USA Scientific) and allowed to incubate, with mild agitation, for 60 minutes at 20° C. Enzymatic reaction was started with the addition of 50 μL of substrate solution (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 0.2 mM EDTA, 150 mM K₂HPO₄, 0.1 mg/ml BSA, 1 mM DTT, 20 mM L-glutamine, 2 mM NAD⁺, and 10 ppm antifoam) and read in a Molecular Devices M5 plate reader at 20° C. The plate reader was configured to read absorbance (λ=340 nm) in kinetic mode for 15 minutes. Data was recorded as milli-absorbance units per minute and slopes were compared to a control compound and a DMSO-only control on the same plate. Compounds with slopes less than the DMSO control were considered inhibitors and plate variability was assessed using the control compound.

Results from this assay for several compounds are shown in Table 2, expressed as IC50, or half maximal inhibitory concentration, wherein IC50 is a quantitative measure indicating how much compound is needed to inhibit a given biological activity by half.

Cell Proliferation Assay

P493-6 (myc “on”) cells were maintained in growth media (RPMI-1640, 10% FBS, 2 mM glutamine, 100 units/ml Penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin) at 37° C. with 5% CO₂. For compound assay, P493-6 cells were plated in 96-well V-bottom plates on the day of compound addition in 50 μl of growth media at a cell density of 200,000 cells/ml (10,000 cells/well). Compounds were serially diluted in 100% DMSO at 200-times the final concentration. Compounds were diluted 100-fold into growth media and then 50 μl of this mixture was added to cell plates making the final concentration of DMSO 0.5%. Cells were incubated with compound for 72 hrs at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ and analyzed for antiproliferative effects either by Cell Titer Glo (Promega) or FACS analysis using the Viacount (Millipore) kit on the Guava instrument.

Results from this assay for several compounds are shown in Table 2, expressed as IC50, or half maximal inhibitory concentration, wherein IC50 is a quantitative measure indicating how much compound is needed to inhibit a given biological activity by half.

Modified Recombinant Enzyme Assay—Time Dependence

Compounds were assessed for their ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of a recombinant form of glutaminase using a biochemical assay that couples the production of Glu (liberated by glutaminase) to GDH and measures the increase in fluorescence due to the reduction of NADP+ to NADPH.

Assay Set-up: Glutaminase reaction buffer was prepared [50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.8, 150 mM K2HPO4, 0.25 mM EDTA, 0.1 mg/ml BSA (Calbiochem no. 2960), 1 mM DTT, 2 mM NADP+(Sigma Aldrich no. N5755), and 0.01% TX-100] and used to make 3×-enzyme-containing solution, 3×-substrate-containing solution, and 3×-inhibitor-containing solution (see below) Inhibitor-containing solution was made by diluting DMSO stocks of compounds into the glutaminase reaction buffer to create a 3× inhibitor solution containing 6% DMSO. 3×-enzyme-containing solution was made by diluting recombinant glutaminase and GDH from Proteus species (Sigma Aldrich no. G4387) into glutaminase buffer to create a 6 nM glutaminase plus 18 units/mL GDH solution. A 3× substrate solution containing either Gln, Glu, or NADPH was made by diluting a stock of Gln (Sigma Aldrich no. 49419), Glu (Sigma Aldrich no. 49449), or NADPH (Sigma Aldrich no. N1630) into glutaminase reaction buffer to create a 3×-substrate solution. Reactions were assembled in a 384-well low-volume black microtiter plates (Molecular Devices no. 0200-5202) by mixing 5 μL of inhibitor-containing solution with 5 μL of substrate-containing solution followed by 5 μL of enzyme-containing solution when no preincubation was required. When time-dependent effects of compound inhibition were tested, enzyme-containing solution was treated with inhibitor-containing solution for the indicated time prior to addition of substrate-containing solution.

Measurement of glutaminase activity: Following the mixture of all three components, fluorescence increase (Ex: 340 nM, Em:460 nm) was recorded for 15 min at room temperature using the Spectromax M5e (Molecular Devices). IC50 Determination: The initial velocities of each progress curve were calculated using a straight line equation (Y=Yintercept+(slope)*X). Initial velocity values were plotted against compound concentration and fit to a four parameter dose response equation (% activity=Bottom+(Top−Bottom)/(1+10̂((LogIC50−X)*HillSlope))) to calculate an IC50 value.

Results from this assay for several compounds are shown in Table 2, expressed as IC50, or half maximal inhibitory concentration, wherein IC50 is a quantitative measure indicating how much compound is needed to inhibit a given biological activity by half.

TABLE 2 Mod- ified GAC GAC Delta Delta GAC N2 N2 Delta Cell IC50 IC50 N2 prolif 60 60 IC50 P493 min min no 72 h Cmpd preinc preinc preinc IC50 ID Structure (μM) (μM) (μM) (μM) 1

0.10 0.20 0.47 295

0.01 0.057 0.039 318

0.006 0.18 0.017 339

0.005 0.16 0.009 354

0.10 0.047 402

1.1 0.054 436

0.006 0.010 533

0.007 0.041 616

0.008 0.13 447

0.005 0.016 585

0.006 0.070 586

0.013 0.031 600

0.005 0.008 614

0.008 0.082 615

0.009 0.12 629

>20 0.065 636

0.008 0.059 657

0.24 1.5 658

0.005 0.040 659

0.010 0.058 660

0.025 0.037 661

0.007 0.12 662

0.007 0.055 663

0.007 0.089 666

0.004 0.058 668

0.009 0.026 669

0.021 0.026 670

0.005 0.030 671

0.004 0.035 672

0.010 0.045 673

0.006 0.033 674

0.008 0.024 675

0.040 676

0.030 677

0.056 678

0.026 679

0.036 680

0.033 681

0.019 682

0.017 683

0.024 684

0.042 685

0.022 686

0.010 687

0.011 688

0.012 689

0.013 690

0.017 692

0.020 693

0.070 694

0.029 695

0.030 696

0.034 697

0.050 698

0.098 699

0.12 700

0.17 701

0.11 702

0.31 703

0.012 704

0.88 705

0.032 706

14 707

0.085 708

2.8 709

0.14 710

711

712

713

714

715

0.19 0.39 716

0.18 717

0.034 0.19 718

0.026 0.015 719

0.033 0.01 720

0.020 0.92 721

0.016 0.022 722

0.024 0.016 723

0.042 0.02 724

0.14 0.034 725

0.050 0.15 726

0.54 0.61 727

0.023 0.012 728

0.012 0.018 729

0.016 0.026 730

0.013 0.025

Example 3 Caco-2 Permeability Assay

Caco-2 cells are commonly used in a confluent monolayer on a cell culture insert filter. When cultured in this format and under specific conditions, the cells become differentiated and polarized such that their phenotype, morphologically and functionally resembles the enterocytes lining the small intestine. The cell monolayer provides a physical and biochemical barrier to the passage of small molecules, and is widely used across the pharmaceutical industry as an in vitro model of the human small intestinal mucosa to predict the absorption of orally administered drugs (Hidalgo et al., Gastroenterology, 1989; Artursson, J. Pharm. Sci., 1990). The correlation between the in vitro apparent permeability (P

app) across Caco-2 monolayers and the in vivo absorption is well established (Artursson et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 1991).

The present assay was used to determine the bidirectional permeability of the compounds of the invention through Caco-2 cell monolayers. Caco-2 cells were grown in confluent monolayers where the media of both the apical (A) and basolateral (B) sides were at pH 7.4. Compounds were dosed at 1 μM in the presence of 200 μM Lucifer Yellow, on the apical side (A→B) or the basolateral side (B→A) for assessment, in duplicate. Samples from both A and B sides were taken after 120 minutes exposure, and compound concentration (reported as percent recovery) was determined using a generic LC-MS/MS method with a minimum four-point calibration curve.

The absorption potential of compounds were classified as either Low (P-app<1×10⁻⁶ cm/s) or High (P-app>1×10⁻⁶ cm/s). The efflux ratio was calculated as (Papp B→A)/(Papp A→B), with efflux ratios being significant when greater than or equal to 3 when the Papp (B→A) was greater than or equal to 1×10⁻⁶ cm/s. Results for certain compounds of the invention are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Caco-2 Permeability Results Recovery Papp Efflux Permeability Significant Cmpd Direction (%) (avg.) Ratio Classification Efflux 533 A→B 41 4.94 7.6 High Yes B→A 52 37.5 585 A→B 42 7.52 3.1 High Yes B→A 53 23.4 616 A→B 65 8.23 6.0 High Yes B→A 76 49.5 295 A→B 89 8.17 7.3 High Yes B→A 96 59.8 318 A→B 73 2.45 18 High Yes B→A 82 44.5 339 A→B 73 2.39 17 High Yes B→A 80 41.6 354 A→B 117 1.38 33 High Yes B→A 101 45.0 436 A→B 44 3.75 6.6 High Yes B→A 57 24.7 660 A→B 56 0.61 3.9 Low Yes B→A 68 2.37 670 A→B 70 9.64 6.2 High Yes B→A 72 59.6 679 A→B 34 7.59 2.6 High No B→A 42 19.6 447 A→B 71 7.76 3.5 High Yes B→A 56 27.2 703 A→B 51 6.26 6.6 High Yes B→A 66 41.0 705 A→B 60 8.52 6.0 High Yes B→A 67 51.0

Example 4 Solubility

Ca. 1 mg portions of test article were combined with 120 μL solvent in wells of a 96×2 mL polypropylene plate. The plate was vigorously vortex mixed at room temperature (ca. 20 C) for 18 hr and each well checked visually for undissolved solid; wells containing no visible solid were charged with additional solid test article and vortex mixed another 6 hr at room temperature after which all wells showed visible solid. The contents of all wells were then filtered through a 0.45 μm GHP filter plate to yield clear filtrates. 5 μL of each filtrate was diluted into 100 μL DMF and vortex mixed to yield HPLC samples. Duplicate quantitation standards for each test article were prepared by diluting weighed portions of solid test article in measured volumes of DMF. 2 μL of each HPLC sample and quantitation standard were analyzed by HPLC using the method outlined in Table 4. Dissolved test article concentrations were calculated by peak area ratio against the appropriate quantitation standards. Solubility results are presented in Table 5.

TABLE 4 Outline of HPLC Method Instrument Shimadzu Prominence UFLC with Diode Array UV/Vis Detector Column VWR Sonoma C8(2), 3.5 μm, 2.1 × 50 mm Column 40° C. Temp Mobile 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water Phase A Mobile 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile Phase B Flow Rate 0.4 mL/min Time Gradient (min) % Mobile Phase B 0 20 8 100 8.5 100 8.6 20 9.6 END

TABLE 5 Measured Solubilities Solubility (mg/mL) Solvent 1 295 402 585 670 447 703 water <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.002 0.007 <0.004 <0.004 0.9% NaCl <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.002 <0.002 0.005 <0.004 0.1M HCl <0.002 0.003 <0.004 <0.002 0.005 <0.004 <0.004 50 mM Cit <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.002 0.066 <0.004 <0.004 pH 2.3 50 mM Cit <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.002 0.003 <0.004 <0.004 pH 3.3 50 mM Cit <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.004 pH 4.4 50 mM Cit <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.004 pH 5.4 PBS <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.002 <0.002 <0.004 <0.004 0.1M 14.420 0.268 <0.004 0.192 0.227 0.192 0.656 NaOH 10% PS80/ 0.050 0.027 0.153 0.261 1.204 0.851 0.378 50 mM cit 10% CrEL/ 0.076 0.055 0.157 0.228 0.458 0.732 0.309 50 mM cit 20% 0.046 0.090 0.019 0.125 5.256 2.718 0.476 SBECD/ 50 mM cit 20% 0.042 0.167 0.056 0.327 9.685 2.177 0.651 HPBCD/ 50 mM cit Labrasol 0.258 0.918 31.032 5.004 5.042 77.164 20.727 Capryol 0.042 1.540 11.210 1.780 1.519 7.916 3.683 PGMC Capryol 90 0.081 0.215 13.676 1.744 1.974 11.114 7.409 canola oil <0.002 <0.002 0.529 0.072 0.012 0.071 0.014 PEG400 0.451 1.644 30.179 3.944 9.901 57.334 22.419 PG 0.048 0.234 1.365 1.422 2.569 8.265 4.698 EtOH 0.040 0.083 2.958 1.991 0.964 3.921 2.645

Example 5 Pharmacokinetic Studies

For PK studies performed in mice, female CD-1 mice, age 5-8 weeks, were dosed orally by gavage (10 mL/kg volume) with test compounds. At pre-determined time-points (e.g. 1, 3, and 6 hrs) post-dosing, groups of three mice were sacrificed by CO₂ inhalation and blood collected via cardiac puncture. Blood samples were placed into K2 EDTA coated tubes and kept on ice. Samples were centrifuged at 2000×g for 10 minutes at 4° C. and plasma isolated. Plasma was stored at ˜70° C. until bioanalytical analysis. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the plasma concentration of compounds 585, 295, 447 and 318 over time following oral dosing of 50 mg/kg to female CD-1 mice.

For PK studies performed in rats, groups of three female Sprague-Dawley Rats, age 7-10 weeks, with jugular vein cannulae were dosed orally by gavage (5-10 mL/kg) with test compounds. Serial blood samples were collected via the jugular vein cannulae at multiple time-points pre and post-dose. Blood samples were placed into K2 EDTA coated tubes on kept on ice. Samples were centrifuged at 2500×g for 10 minutes at 4° C. and plasma isolated. Plasma was stored at ˜70° C. until bioanalytical analysis. FIG. 3 shows the plasma concentration of compound 670 over time following oral dosing of 500, 250, 80 and 25 mg/kg in 25% Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD formulation), to female Sprague Dawley rats.

Results from several studies are shown in Table 6. The plasma samples were analyzed using Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) methods. Frozen plasma samples were thawed on ice or room temperature. Aliquotes of study plasma samples and calibration samples prepared in the same matrix as the study samples were quenched in an organic solvent (methanol, acetonitrole or DMF) containing an internal standard. The mixtures were then centrifuged and filtered and the filtrates were injected to an LC/MS/MS system to determine concentrations of test compounds.

TABLE 6 Pharmacokinetics studies and results Solution/ Time- Dose Suspen- points Cmax Tmax Cmpd (mg/kg) Species Vehicle sion (h) (uM) (h) 295 50 Mouse Eudragit Suspen- 1, 6 0.02  6 L100-55 sion solid dispersion 585 50 Mouse Eudragit Suspen- 0.5, 1, 0.93  3 L100-55 sion 3, 6 solid dispersion 585 50 Mouse 1% NMP/ Solution 0.5, 1, 5.16  1 99% 3, 6 Gelucire 585 50 Rat Eudragit Suspen- 0.5, 1, 1.15  2 L100-55 sion 2, 4, solid 8, 24 dispersion 670 25 Rat 20% Solution pre, 0.5, 4.4   1 HPBCD/ 1, 2, 10 mM 4, 8, Citrate 24 pH 2.0 670 80 Rat 65% Solution pre, 0.5, 12.5   1 HPBCD/ 1, 2, 10 mM 4, 8, Citrate 24 pH 2.6 670 250 Rat 40% Solution pre, 0.5, 9.9  24 HPBCD/ 1, 2, 10 mM 4, 8, Citrate 24 pH 2.2 670 500 Rat 40% Solution pre, 0.5, 15.3   2 HPBCD/ 1, 2, 10 mM 4, 8, Citrate 24 pH 2.2 670 100 Mouse 25% Solution 1, 2, 4, 5.75  1 HPBCD/ 8, 24 10 mM Citrate pH 2.2 670 200 Mouse 25% Solution 1, 2, 4, 5.05  1 HPBCD/ 8, 24 10 mM Citrate pH 2.2 447 50 Mouse 2% NMP/ Solution 1, 3, 6 1.13  1 98% Gelucire 318 50 Mouse 0.5% Suspen- 0.5, 1, 0.01  1 CMC/ sion 3, 6 0.1% PS80 318 50 Mouse Capryol Suspen- 0.5, 1, 0.08  3 PGMC sion 3, 6

Example 6 Lung Adenocarcinoma Xenograft Efficacy Study

Female scid/beige mice (n=20) age 6-8 weeks were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ H2122 lung adenocarcinoma cells per mouse suspended in PBS. Mice were randomized into the following two groups of n=10 mice/group: 1) Vehicle control (25% Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) and 2) Compound 670 dosed orally at 200 mg/kg (formulated at 20 mg/mL in 25% HP-β-CD). For both groups, dosing was initiated 24 hours post-implant and continued orally BID for 23 days. Tumors were measured with calipers three times per week and tumor volume calculated using the formula tumor volume (mm³)=(a×b²/2) where ‘b’ is the smallest diameter and ‘a’ is the largest perpendicular diameter. **P-value <0.01 (Two-sided T-test). Results are shown in FIG. 4.

Example 7 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Xenograft Study

Female CB.17 SCID mice (n=40) age 8-12 weeks were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ JIMT-1 triple negative breast cancer cells per mouse mixed 1:1 with Matrigel. When tumor volumes reached 100-150 mm³ mice were randomized into the following four groups of n=10 mice/group: 1) Vehicle control (25% Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) dosed orally BID for 35 days; 2) Compound 670 dosed orally at 200 mg/kg BID for 35 days (formulated at 20 mg/mL in 25% HP-β-CD); 3) Paclitaxel dosed intravenously at 10 mg/kg every other day for a total of 5 doses; and 4) Compound 670 (200 mg/kg orally BID×35 days) and Paclitaxel (10 mg/kg IV god×5). Tumors were measured with calipers two times per week and tumor volume calculated using the formula tumor volume (mm³)=(a×b²/2) where ‘b’ is the smallest diameter and ‘a’ is the largest perpendicular diameter. **P-value <0.01 (One-way ANOVA vs. vehicle). ## P-value <0.01 (Two-sided T-test vs. paclitaxel alone). Results are shown in FIG. 5.

Example 8 Multiple Myeloma Xenograft Study

Female CB.17 SCID mice (n=20) age 8-12 weeks were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ RPMI-8226 myeloma cells per mouse mixed 1:1 with Matrigel. Mice were randomized into the following two groups of n=10 mice/group: 1) Vehicle control (25% Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) and 2) Compound 670 dosed at orally at 200 mg/kg (formulated at 20 mg/mL in 25% HP-β-CD). For both groups, dosing was initiated when tumors reached a volume of 100-150 mm³ and continued orally BID for 28 days. Tumors were measured with calipers two times per week and tumor volume calculated using the formula tumor volume (mm³)=(a×b²/2) where ‘b’ is the smallest diameter and ‘a’ is the largest perpendicular diameter. **P-value <0.01 (Two-sided T-test). Results are shown in FIG. 6.

Example 9 Treatment of Multiple Myeloma Cells with a Combination of Drugs

As shown in FIG. 7, MM1S cells (panels A & B) and RPMI-8226 cells (panels C & D) were treated with a dose titration of either compound 670, pomalidomide or a mixture thereof (panels A & C) or compound 670, dexamethsone or a mixture thereof (panels B & D) for 72 hours in growth media. At the end of the incubation, cell viability was measured using Cell Titer Glo as per manufacturer's protocol (Promega, Madison, Wis.). Measured values for compound-treated cells were normalized to DMSO-treated cells and data is reported as a cell survival ratio with a value of 1 (one) corresponding to maximum cell survival and a value of 0 (zero) corresponding to no cell survival. Cell survival ratios for all compound treatments are represented as bar graphs. Combination indices were calculated using the Calcusyn program (biosoft.com) and reported for individual mixtures of compound 670 and pomalidomide [POM] (panels A &C) and individual mixtures of compound 670 and dexamethasone [DEX] (panels B & D). Compound mixtures that produced a synergistic anti-tumor activity are highlighted.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication or patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In case of conflict, the present application, including any definitions herein, will control.

EQUIVALENTS

While specific embodiments of the subject invention have been discussed, the above specification is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of this specification and the claims below. The full scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the claims, along with their full scope of equivalents, and the specification, along with such variations. 

1. A method of treating cancer or immunological or neurological diseases comprising administering a compound of formula I,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂, CH═CH, or

 wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy; X, independently for each occurrence, represents S, O or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl; Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; Z represents H or R₃(CO); R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy; R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or OR₆, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₄ and R₅ each independently for each occurrence represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₆ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently for each occurrence represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; R₁₁ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃ and is optionally further substituted, or R₁₁ represents C(R₁₂)(R₁₃)(R₁₄), N(R₄)(R₁₄) or OR₁₄, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₁₂ and R₁₃ each independently respresent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein both of R₁₂ and R₁₃ are not H; and R₁₄ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃ and is optionally further substituted. 2-27. (canceled)
 28. A pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and a compound of formula I,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂, CH═CH, or

 wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy; X, independently for each occurrence, represents S, O or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl; Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; Z represents H or R₃(CO); R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy; R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or OR₆, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₄ and R₅ each independently for each occurrence represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₆ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently for each occurrence represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; R₁₁ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃ and is optionally further substituted, or R₁₁ represents C(R₁₂)(R₁₃)(R₁₄), N(R₄)(R₁₄) or OR₁₄, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₁₂ and R₁₃ each independently respresent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein both of R₁₂ and R₁₃ are not H; and R₁₄ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃ and is optionally further substituted.
 29. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 28, wherein the compound is not one of the following:


30. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 28 or 29, wherein R₁₁ represents arylalkyl, wherein the aryl ring is substituted with —OCF₃.
 31. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 30, wherein R₁₁ represents trifluoromethoxybenzyl.
 32. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 31, wherein R₁₁ represents


33. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-32, wherein L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂.
 34. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-32, wherein L represents CH₂CH₂.
 35. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-34, wherein each Y represents H.
 36. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-35, wherein X represents S or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl.
 37. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-36, wherein Z represents R₃(CO).
 38. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 37, wherein R₃ and R₁₁ are not identical.
 39. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-38, wherein R₁ and R₂ each represent H.
 40. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-39, wherein Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl.
 41. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 40, wherein Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylalkyl.
 42. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 41, wherein Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted pyridylalkyl.
 43. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-39, wherein Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl.
 44. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 43, wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroaryl.
 45. The pharmaceutical composition of 43 or 44, wherein R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, or alkoxy.
 46. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-32, wherein L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, each Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl.
 47. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-32, wherein L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, each Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl.
 48. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 47, wherein L represents CH₂CH₂.
 49. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 47 or 48, wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl.
 50. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 49, wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl.
 51. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 47-50, wherein R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy.
 52. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 51, wherein R₁₀ represents hydroxyalkyl.
 53. The pharmaceutical composition of any of claims 28-32, wherein L represents CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and each R₃ represents arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl.
 54. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 53, wherein R₃ represents heteroarylalkyl.
 55. A compound of formula I,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂, CH═CH, or

 wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy; X, independently for each occurrence, represents S, O or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl; Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; Z represents H or R₃(CO); R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy; R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or OR₆, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₄ and R₅ each independently for each occurrence represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₆ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently for each occurrence represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; R₁₁ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃ and is optionally further substituted, or R₁₁ represents C(R₁₂)(R₁₃)(R₁₄), N(R₄)(R₁₄) or OR₁₄, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₁₂ and R₁₃ each independently respresent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein both of R₁₂ and R₁₃ are not H; and R₁₄ represents aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl ring is substituted with either —OCHF₂ or —OCF₃ and is optionally further substituted.
 56. The compound of claim 55, wherein the compound is not one of the following:


57. The compound of claim 55 or 56, wherein R₁₁ represents arylalkyl, wherein the aryl ring is substituted with —OCF₃.
 58. The compound of claim 57, wherein R₁₁ represents trifluoromethoxybenzyl.
 59. The compound of claim 58, wherein R₁₁ represents


60. The compound of any of claims 55-59, wherein L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂.
 61. The compound of any of claims 55-60, wherein L represents CH₂CH₂.
 62. The compound of any of claims 55-61, wherein each Y represents H.
 63. The compound of any of claims 55-62, wherein X represents S or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl.
 64. The compound of any of claims 55-63, wherein Z represents R₃(CO).
 65. The compound of claim 64, wherein R₃ and R₁₁ are not identical.
 66. The compound of any of claims 55-65, wherein R₁ and R₂ each represent H.
 67. The compound of any of claims 55-66, wherein Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl.
 68. The compound of claim 67, wherein Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylalkyl.
 69. The compound of claim 68, wherein Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted pyridylalkyl.
 70. The compound of any of claims 55-66, wherein Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl.
 71. The compound of claim 70, wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroaryl.
 72. The compound of claim 70 or 71, wherein R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, or alkoxy.
 73. The compound of any of claims 55-59, wherein L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, each Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl.
 74. The compound of any of claims 55-59, wherein L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, each Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl.
 75. The compound of claim 74, wherein L represents CH₂CH₂.
 76. The compound of claim 74 or 75, wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl.
 77. The compound of claim 76, wherein R₈ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl.
 78. The compound of any of claims 74-77, wherein R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy.
 79. The compound of claim 78, wherein R₁₀ represents hydroxyalkyl.
 80. The compound of any of claims 55-59, wherein L represents CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and R₃ represents arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl.
 81. The compound of claim 80, wherein R₃ represents heteroarylalkyl.
 82. A compound having the structure

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 